The measure of a public servant isn’t just whether they know the truth. It’s whether they’re willing to tell it when it carries a personal cost.
Most threats to democracy don’t begin with people who can’t distinguish truth from falsehood. They begin with people who know the difference but choose loyalty over honesty. When public office rewards loyalty over truth, institutions stop serving the public and begin serving power.
Truth isn’t just a personal virtue in a democracy. It’s one of its essential institutions.
Democracy is like the little kid in the schoolyard the bullies have it in for. And all of us are the older kids watching all of it unfold from the sidelines. Slowly, but surely, we're realizing that the little kid isn't going to make it through on his own. It's we who have to come out of the shadows and sidelines and take the bullies on. There's no other choice. One day -- if not already -- the bullies are going to come for us. If we don't come to that little kid's aid right now, who's going to come to ours later on?
Some Good News: Per Minnesota local ABC11, the Minnesota Reformer, Hennepin County Attorney https://www.hennepinattorney.org & a GOOGLE AI search:
"The Minnesota criminal investigation into the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents has experienced a major breakthrough, as federal prosecutors finally turned over a trove of previously long-withheld evidence to [Minnesota] state investigators [including Renee's damaged SUV].
"Hennepin County Attorney MARY MORIARTY announced the major update, confirming that local [Minnesota] prosecutors and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) now have possession of the key files needed to independently evaluate whether criminal charges are warranted."
Possible justice for Renee & Alex is progressing.🎯
UPDATE: Progress for Renee AND Alex!
***************************************
Per Minnesota (TNND) — "Federal prosecutors have turned over key evidence in the fatal ICE shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti to Minnesota investigators after months of legal battles, marking a major breakthrough in the state's effort to investigate the deaths". [murders].
Excellent news, Counselor. It is my opinion that both of those cases are unjustifiable uses of deadly force, and that the DA is absolutely on the right track.
I concur Sheriff. As you know, professional criminal investigations requires diligent work & long hours.
Personal disclosure; Yesterday I gave notice on LFAA that I have withdrawn from the practice of law. So no more "JDinCA". It's a good thing. No worries.
My neighbors tease me and call me "Bryan with a "y"to distinguish me from the 1000's of "Brians" that were born in the 1950's.
Keep the faith! As Americans we are both the inheritors of and the participants in the most extraordinary, the most crucial, the riskiest, and the most complex ongoing experiment in human society and government ever attempted. We the People have the power to send Trumpism into history’s garbage bin if we choose to do so.
As the old saying goes, Nobody promised us a rose garden. Democracy is hard to win and harder to maintain. But it is also, as Lincoln said, ‘the last best hope of earth’.
To quote another aphorism of a somewhat similar meaning, “There’s many a slip twixt the cup and the lip”
It may well be that the Trump administration has finally realized that it has to throw somebody under the bus because this issue is not going to go away, no matter how many distractions they try to throw at us. And particularly because of the more recent ICE shooting deaths in Texas and Maine. Of course once they throw one shooter under the bus, it will be almost impossible to ignore the others.
I hear the wife of the Biddeford shooter is already online claiming her husband is mentally disturbed and has abused her. This will play right into the right’s eternal claim that gun violence is not a Second Amendment issue, but rather a mental health issue. Plus ca change!
Well said, James! I remember watching her on our black & white tv with the antennas! I wonder how many readers know the lady to whom you refer and what that means.
Just as an aside, you might be interested in the explanation quoted below. Also in reference the eruption of Mt Pele in 1902 when a famous diva was supposed to have arrived just before the eruption, but had been held up.
"THE PHRASE originates from sailors on shore leave in days gone by. Steam was the agent of propulsion, and the boiler was affectionately known as the "fat lady". The boiler had to be stoked to build up a head of steam for the ship to leave port. When sufficient pressure had been generated the whistle blew. The "fat lady" had thus sung, to signal to the sailors that their run ashore had ended.
Like so many popular phrases, the fat lady meme has generated a number of origins. I, too, remember Miss Kate Smith, but it's more likely the original fat lady was Wagner's Valkyrie Brünnhilde, whose final aria ends the Ring story.
I try to quickly skim part of the comments to find my "friends" on here. (And am probably failing to welcome some new folks. 😞)
Bryan, I am always grateful to see what you post, adding context to Heather, or giving us news that she hasn't the room to cover. I haven't been consuming a great deal of media of late as it's taking a toll on me. (Instead, I've been working on my own website which is very close to launching. It is a needed diversion, as it is keeping my mind off the endless firehose that is Trump)
Heather said it would get worse this summer, and it has. Sometimes I feel I love people and hate humanity; other times I hate people and love humanity. I just cannot fathom this insatiable greed, and also how people can justify hunger, sickness and homelessness. This is taking a toll on me. The only balm is finding friends like you here, who are doing SOMETHING while I am sitting this one out, or folks who offer positive thoughts. I am reserving my strength for when midterms are closer. The only thing I've done lately for democracy is to purchase about 100 stamps before the rate hike, to put away for use later this fall.
The current air situation in the Chicago area has prevented me from working on my garden or getting in my daily walks, which in undoubtedly impacting my mental state. Our air, according to airnow.gov peaked at 720 yesterday; it is currently at 441. With flood waters rising several yards in minutes in some areas; drought in other areas; wildfire smoke pouring across the continent, HOW anyone can continue to deny climate change is beyond me! Sometimes I fear that we have gone beyond the point of no return.
Actually, it isn't a Substack though I considered it.
My husband took a few months to self-teach web design. We registered my domain and I had professional author photos taken. I have been writing content and uploading it. Supposedly, a webpage is the minimum I need to help attract an agent for my manuscripts. Also, I have been told that lack of social media accounts isn't entirely bad. I had been waiting and hoping for Bluesky to overtake Twitter (I refuse to call it what that egotistical moron changed the name to). I'm not very fond of Zuk either, but I've been told FB is very popular with authors.
I find it difficult to make connections with people with the sole goal of seeing what they can do for me. I'd have made a terrible businesswoman, I guess.
When it does go live, I will put the link in my little bio.
There is no accountability, no inquiry, no transparency.
If our government allows people who are simply a different color to be arrested, imprisoned, deported or even shot, or people in boats they "think" maybe running drugs to be bombed, or wars to be started and children murdered, with never a question answered, never a reason given, never a name released, never a Congressional permission sought - what chance do We the People have when they come to arrest, imprison, bomb and murder US?
Yes, and..... Maga is propped up by corporations doing his bidding - helicopter pad? An illegal war exceeds anticipated profits for the war industry, a reflecting pool for profit, bitcoins, environmental destruction for the benefit of mining and Maga profits, clearing out Gaza for possible resorts - the insanity is matched by the greed. Everyday is an affront to what it means to be a human, and to have a divine spark.
Lady Emsworth, we have each other and the knowledge that if we choose to, we can stop this fascist takeover whose only purpose is so a bunch of rich white boys who never had to grow up can make us all be their servants/slaves while they work to destroy our planet. These whiny white boys have a lot of money, most have elite college degrees, but have the common sense of a baked potato.
They are just like badly-parented toddlers. Trump should have already been impeached, but alas, our Republicans and a few Democrats in Congress have no courage because they were deliberately chosen by those whiny white rich boys because they have none, so will do nothing to stop this Trumpian Project 2025 insanity. We need to get the word out even to the MAGAs that they are expendable for the rich bratty white boy toddlers. In case one is not sure of that, look at what Musk is doing to the wild lands of Texas, His rich tech buddies are doing to communities with their wasteful destructive data centers while lying that they are a community good, Vought has done to our government operations, Vance and Miller have done to drive hatred toward immigrants of color, women, and people of color across this nation.
We do have to stand together in all our diversity to stop this insanity, this powergrubbing collection of wannabee kings, rulers of the world. Maybe we together need to be Superman, Wonderwoman, Batman, and the rest of the superheroes wrapped up as We the People!
Nice essay, Ruth. I have such contempt for these Maga, Musk types or the stunted men and women (the 37%) who support trump et al - people with severely limited intellectual capacity plus no moral core.
Lady E, I absolutely do not comprehend the attitude of my former work cohort (all folks I thought were decent if not good cops) finding no problem with the ICE deployment(s) we've watched for the past year. There are volumes of court opinion regarding traffic stops and the justification for them, and the level of force used when resistance to lawful orders is encountered. These former cops see nothing wrong with these actions. I am dumbfounded.
We humans have this penchant for dividing other humans into "worthy" and "unworthy" (and maybe "not really human at all"). Notice how many white USians were against "welfare" when they assumed that all welfare recipients were Black? Court decisions and official guidelines may be learned and understood intellectually, but what comes to the fore in moments of tension and danger is more likely what's in your gut, or your id -- not written words that you studied.
What motivates you to act/react may be your continuous inner feedback loop about "illegals," a category that magically expands to include green-card holders, naturalized citizens, and native-born Americans if they look Hispanic or Black or anything but white. Adrenaline surges and you may think you're in imminent danger even when you're not. And in that split second there's no time to get a second opinion or even to take a deep breath and think it through.
The police, I believe, have always supported trump and his policies. Remember when trump advised the police that they don't have to carefully escort a potential suspect into a car so s/he doesn't injure his head?
As a retired cop, I cannot disagree too much with you. Most of the cops I knew and trained (in use of force and force documentation and justification) did not behave in that way, although we usually "joked" in some fashion, I never saw any of that. Now, law enforcement radically changed after I left, so I surmise you are more right than I am happy with.
‘Tunnel Vision’…they will only see the terrible abuse of power when ICE comes after THEM…could happen!…the goons have a quota, and ‘wrong place, wrong time’…GONE//DEAD!
Thank you for "BRINGING IT HOME"!!! According to the recent murders, no one is safe from being shot and killed if certain "powers in charge" remain in power.
Will THUGS be allowed to take over 'THE LAND OF THE FREE BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE'!!!
"LADY LIBERTY" is angry!!! Her arms have always been open to INVITE everyone to come to the United States of America, to take a chance on freedom and opportunities to share their gifts and talents as well as to provide a future for their children.
The recent murders are UNAMERICAN!!!! Families are left devastated and fearful!!! Who promotes this kind of evil behavior????
The mystery of human motivation. People are induced by trump to behave a certain way within his structure of governance. Obviously, their actions are predictable in pursuit of their "values." This is not a great moment for history.
A "Chief Executive" who can choose which laws to "faithfully execute" and which to ignore, who can fire and hire anyone at will, whose goon squads can kill and disappear people with no recourse, who himself has been granted immunity from any accountability - this is the definition of a Dictator. We are there, folks. We no longer live in a democracy, but a dictatorship.
They're here. The bullying attacks are all around us Trump's announcement last night removed any doubt that our free and fair election system is now their main target. This is war, plain and simple. Democracy here is now in a life-or-death struggle. The Democratic process is straightforward: one person, one vote, majority rule. Trump intends to disrupt this process.
Drumpf, last night in his screech, claimed Chinese interference in our elections. If anybody is interfering in our elections, it’s Musk w his $250mm in 2024, and his recent $5mm to Rampyswampy. If these donations are legal, and apparently they are, they need to be stopped. And Musk, the obnoxious immigrant, needs to be deported. And, if it was up to me, we would also nationalize whatever assets he happens to have in the US.
And if any of that seems ridiculous, I’m now at a point where I want Dem politicians to play “smash-mouth” politics. Not physical violence, of course, but bend the rules, stretch the rules, break the rules, throw up every road block and do it without apologizing. Politics should be about compromise, but only one side is compromising. Treat this current environment as the bar fight it is, instead of writing sternly worded letters. — Sheesh, I need another espresso.
Spot on. We're now engaged in a war to preserve our democratic republican system. This comes as no surprise to those of us who know Trump for what he is.
That is an interesting thought, Emily. In the final analysis, it seems to me, is that the current war comes down to protecting and then implementing the results found in the ballot boxes. Let's not be deceived - Trump absolutely knows that he lost the 2020 election. As then, he will try to steal this election, too. Still, a nation-wide walk-out could possibly send a message to our cowardly Republican politicians that the gig is up. It is time to go full-scale offensive.
No! He does not have all the armies. Remember the fellow who feared "waking a sleeping giant" way back in the late 30's? That sleeping giant, (America) is an army waking up - again. Trump/MAGA fears of losing are real. So is America's army of voters real. Trump has already lost even though it will not be official until after the November 2026 election.
NOT if all the armies refused to comply. We do not need to comply to bullies!!! Remember who we are!!! We have NEVER been ruled by a Dictator and I am willing to give my own old life...such as it is?...for the future of my children and grand children!!!! I am NOT bowing to Trump or to his "HANDLERS"!!!!!
In my opinion, Trump is just a useful tool to those who really want to take away our freedoms....the ones who have been working for this very opportune occasion for years and have worked to stay undercover!!!!
I do believe exceptions could be made towards a want to be DICTATOR! who...along with his greedy minions are trying to take over OUR COUNTRY
IE THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!!
By the way, has anyone checked Vance's travel schedules??? What is going on with so much time away from responsibilities at home....with "the people".
Richard Sullivan, right on. There’s a whole ‘new’ vocabulary that maga uses reminding me of Starbucks lingo that distinguishes ‘real starbucks’s’ users from a newbie: very cleverly constructed to create a fake club-family. The one word that we all recognize is ‘weaponize’, which they not only do with ice, but with almost everything ie The Defense Dept to The War Dept on and on.
Last evening I watched heard miller say that the left(which is really the found to me:-) is ‘jealous’ of t gang’…
it may have been on BBC news preceding the 6:00 news. My mouth opened in astonishment as he spoke.
it’s (miller) not human: it’s somehow a reincarnation of
every evil and desecration of life. Let’s list the vocabulary of violence, lies, and more so we can make it clear not only to each one of us but also to the rest of what’s left of our beautiful blue planet how this gang is using language like a lethal weapon.
As always thank you Richard Sutherland and Professor Heather Cox Richardson.
It would be an insult to other creatures here on earth to say simply that Steven Miller and Donald Trump are both sub-human. They have no equal in the animal world. None. Not even close. I wish that Shakespeare were alive today to put this evil onto paper. Perhaps Miller and Trump will be an inspiration to a modern-day Shakespeare, assuming that such a possibility is even remote.
True, except that in our Federal system it is not one person one vote. The Senate is heavily weighted towards small Red states, the Electoral College has repeatedly given us presidents who lost the popular vote and appointed biased judges, and gerrymandering effectively disenfranchises many, particularly people of color. We have a lot about our political system that needs fixing.
Very true, we don't have a pure democratic system, but rather a democratic republic that has a whole lot of flaws in it. Can it ever be changed peacefully so that all votes carry the same weight, or close to it? I don't think so. So, at some point the Union will dissolve, peacefully, I hope. The West Coast and New England becoming part of Canada, perhaps, leaving the rest to elect idiots to their hearts' content.
I can't watch it. I'm not sticking my head in the sand, but this stuff can take away my last shred of hope. I'm trying to fan the tiny flame of hope left.
I really really don’t like bullies, ICTT, so tend to watch bullying unfold for only moments (to make an assessment of what I’m seeing) before stepping in, even if in just a small way.
Well said.Do we really have to justify protecting the vulnerable with “ well if we don’t, those bullies may come after us next”? God damn it sometimes we have to do things because it just the decent thing to do. Thank you again for your compassion and wisdom.
ICTT, I wish I could convince everyone my mailing list when I send Heather's letters on a daily basis. Some have voiced distaste for listening to political matters, as it makes them anxious. Just think of how "anxious" they'll be when Trump's and Project 25's aims are all met! No, not all politicians are alike.
Dear ICTT, I gave my ‘comment’ before reading yours…but…we are kindred spirits in our estimation of this regime and its ‘childish, yet BULLY’ leader.
What will become of US Democracy? All the ‘other children’ in Congress are terrified into silence and compliance…and it will get so much worse if Blanche is confirmed…which I see no stop to. 😬
And anyone who thinks a protest every three months or so will stop the effort to end our democracy is part of the problem. There is no significant effort to stop the Dictator and his demonic sycophants. That’s the reality.
Last night Trump spewed a long list of lies claiming that information was withheld from him about election interference by foreign nations in 2020. He ended up with an appeal to pass the SAVE America Act because he claims our elections are totally corrupt. This was a call to action to his J6ers to be ready.
ABC and NBC networks did not carry the speech live, but it is available on many outlets on YouTube. I am a believer in knowing your enemy, so listen to it carefully and understand that this is setting the stage for challenges to the midterms. Many red states have passed measures advocated by the Heritage Foundation to suppress the vote. There are no constraints on Trump by Congress or SCOTUS.
There is no question that Trump will interfere in the midterms, most likely by seizing voting machines and ballots in blue states. Yes there will be immediate suits filed in response, but what is plan B while the challenges wend their way through the courts? How do you stop a blue wave? You challenge the results and keep the winners from being sworn in...
From Rachel Bitecofer's July 15th substack The Cycle: "I do not believe Donald Trump will peacefully hand the presidency to a Democratic successor if he loses. I believe he will do exactly what he has done before: claim the election was stolen. I believe he will point to millions of allegedly illegal votes, argue that the outcome is illegitimate because he didn’t get the SAVE Act, and insist that he has a duty not to surrender power to people he declares to be criminals. I believe many elected Republicans will support him in that moment, just as they have repeatedly chosen party loyalty over constitutional principle. And I know that all the agencies that stopped him last time have been purged."
Then he'll call out the National Guard and his Proud Boy thugs to take our voting machines and ballots. What will we do? Who will stop him? What will stop him? What national catastrophe are we on the brink of?
I was walking near the White House a dew days ago. I say “near” because getting close to the White House complex is now impossible. Fencing—apparently permanent fencing—is up around Lafayette Square and temporary fencing extends from the northern tip of the Square all the way to Constitution Ave. and from 15th to 17th streets. It looks like an armed camp because that’s exactly what it is. Bored, sweating National Guard personnel wander the areas where tourists gather. Trump says they will continue to do so until his term expires. He’s building a bunker and a helipad. He has no intention of leaving. C’mon Grim Reaper!
I know you've said this before and I'm curious about the significance you find in this event. Of course we know what happened to JFK, and the whitewash about what happened, and the mystery that survives until now. But in terms of the direction the country has taken, what are the roots you find in that terrible day, Loren?
Doom predicting doesn’t help. Robert Hubbell says today: “Two things are true: (a) Trump poses a dangerous threat to the midterms that must be taken seriously, and (b) massive voter turnout is a complete answer to any and all voter suppression efforts by Trump.”
My point is that doom scrolling makes everybody feel helpless but as Robert says massive voter turnout, as in Hungary, can change the way the country runs. So we are not helpless, as Robert also says, we are not potted plants.
i didn’t say we were potted plants. What I am saying is that nobody is raising awareness about what happens if there are multiple contested elections as Trump is clearly indicating will happen, and who ultimately decides who is seated. That unfortunately rests with the House and the Senate. Democratic leadership has had numerous failures of imagination and remains reactive and not pro-active. They need to be pro-active NOW.
Feeling doomed to failure doesn't help, Pam, you're right about this. But not to see how dire a situation is can also have a deleterious effect. I agree with Robert that the president poses a dangerous threat to the midterms. I don't have his certainty that "massive voter turnout is a complete answer to any and all voter suppression efforts." This regime already has plans in mind for how to handle a massive voter turnout, this we can be sure of. Given his extreme pathology and that of the cabal that wants to take over permanently the system of government we have, we have to consider and plan for the extreme: his refusal to leave office and recognize an election outcome he doesn't want. Even in 2021 there was some fear that he wouldn't leave office (but he did, albeit very ungracefully). Now he's a far more aggressive despot. While We must do all we can to ensure a massive voter turnout, there does need to be some contingency plan for The Day After. What if he does win? What if he loses and won't give up power and Republicans or the Proud Boys won't let a new Congress be sworn in? I do think there are people out there planning for this possibility.
Thanks, Pam. I've been known to spend hours on the comments, and of late, some days I totally skip, others I quickly skim looking for familiar faces. If I still have a smidgen of hope, I can grow it. If everywhere I turn, doom predicting stomps on it, I'm done for.
I'm hoping that my website will be live in a week. When it is, I will announce and put it into my little bio attached to my name. I'm not good at self promotion, so not going to make a big deal in the comment section here.
I DON'T intend to leave the comment section here, it's just that I've felt overwhelmed by all of this (bad words!) Trump is dumping on us. I understand the frantic feelings many here have, and I wish I could comfort them, but as they say in the airlines, ya gotta put your own oxygen mask on first.
I did manage to call Thune today.
My husband taught himself web design, and I've been writing content for it. We have a dear young friend who is somewhat semi-professional photographer. While that is not her profession (she does data programming for hedge funds) she spent COVID learning professional photography via Nixon websites they provided free. She has tons of lenses, cameras, and knows how to use applications to color correct, remove shadows and glares, etc. (Sadly, she had no way to take 20 years and/or 20 pounds off of me, but I jest, as actually, I'm grateful for the years and the body I have.)
When it goes live, please come visit me there. My dream is to NOT replace this wonderful HCR family, but have another place where we can consider life other than Trump.
"Paris is worth a Mass." (King Henry IV of France) I'd accept that trade-off, BobCaster.
(And this week Scott Besset announced he was getting his face on a coin being called a commemorative coin, since the law prohibits putting a living person's face on US currency.)
I disagree with your comparison, klutt. As old as I am, I remember being 5 years old, and I most certainly did not get to do whatever I wanted whenever I wanted. That's because I had responsible parents who thought training begins as early as a child is intellectually capable of understanding. They made many, many mistakes, but they had the right idea.
The only human beings who are able to do whatever they want whenever they want are infants. For that reason, we diaper them.
See my (rather long) comment re ‘the child’ in the White House. And just be glad DJT doesn’t decide to have it painted ‘Orange’…well ‘burnt sienna’ to be correct.
Chris, as I scan for my friends, I see your name that I don't recognize. Checking that thingy next to your name, you've been here three months. Have I welcomed you before? As self-appointed Walmart greeter of the forum, I like to do so, so WELCOME! 👋🏼
Perhaps I HAVE welcomed you prior, and if so, apologies. I will blame our current events making me crazy. I am losing track of all the newbies, but that is a POSITIVE dilemma, as it means so many good folks have found Heather and the community here! ❤️I hope everyone who pulls out their credit card and takes the leap discovers a tribe that embraces them!
(BTW, my husband loves to trace his family--any my family--trees as well. I hope you find inspirational, good things in your search.)
For months I’ve said Trump will declare an emergency and insist that the current Congress remain seated while the courts sort out the dozens of frivolous lawsuits that will be filed to challenge races Republicans lose in the mid-terms. When the courts sort rightly dismiss them, Trump will claim the judges are “crooked.” In the interim, Congress will be in chaos. Those who say this is impossible because such a coup is prohibited by existing law have not been paying close attention, IMO. Trump and his suckling sycophants do not care about the rule of law. They care about only two things: money and power. There will be blood. That’s where we are.
It won't be surprising if he ties Congress and the courts up in frivolous lawsuits over every single Democratic win in the House or Senate. He's that crazy and that self-absorbed. It will be 2020 on steroids that are on steroids! This time he will need to be put in a straight-jacket and carried out of the WH.
I think there’s a good chance he’ll be dead by 2028. Or so far gone that even the sniveling, spineless, pedophiles protecting republicans and their maga wealthy donors will remove him.
Jen, I've predicted death as one option. The other is that he will be so stark, raving mad that even his handlers can no longer conceal his mental state. I am not a psychologist nor a psychiatrist, but I am a son who observed his mother's journey through dementia.
Every dementia patient's journey is different, but the experts divide the progression into five stages. My mother's journey lasted about 18 months. We didn't recognize Stage 1 because the symptoms were hard to distinguish from "old-age forgetfulness." As Mom progressed, each stage lasted for a shorter span of time.
Mom had excellent, award-winning care throughout her journey, which only made her comfortable. The best care does not slow the progression of dementia; it just reduces the anxiety and suffering.
Based on my experience, I estimate that Donald is in either late Stage 1 or early Stage 2. If there are records of his father's dementia journey, they'd be useful for predicting Donald's.
The problem with this particular patient, Dale, is that we don't know what is attributable to dementia and what is attributable to pathological mental illness. He may be only in Stage 1 of dementia but he is at the extreme end of the spectrum of mental illness. (Stage 5? Stage 10? Stage 3896? Where are the experts?) I would find him more likable if he were farther into dementia, where (I believe) many of our pathologies lose their power.
Hello Georgia... I suspect that DJT is retreating further into DJT's Fantasy World, because what we call Reality is getting too painful for DJT... DJT has failed his entire Life, and now is facing his Mortality... DJT is Amoral, and Panicky.... DJT's Insanity, and Panic showed in DJT's Speech tonite... I would not be surprised if DJT initiates some adverse Situation with China... There may be some adverse machinations stemming from the Iran War... With the Closing of the Bab el-Mandeb, and the Strait-Of-Hormuz, 30% of the World's Oil Exports are at Risk...
Hello Anne-Louise... Yes, the Netanyahu War is turning into One-Disaster-After-Another... Israel Kazz, the Israeli Defense Minister, has declared that he wants to Ethically Cleanse Gaza, and Seize All Of Gaza...
I believe that most of the world leaders are well aware that Trump is stark raving mad. Hopefully they will be slow to respond to his provocations. Iran, being also run by stark raving madmen did respond, as every previous President both Democratic or Republican knew would happen. Bibi Netanyahu has been trying for years to get the US to fight a war in the Middle East on Israel's (and Bibi's) behalf. He finally found one who is stupid enough to do it. China plays the long game. I do not believe they would react recklessly. They can just sit by and see if the US is going to survive the Trumpian era and remain a viable real world actor. Only a little over two years to go for that answer.
Hello Linda... China has the Oldest Continuous Civilization... They see the USA at the very least as a Competitor... MAGA, DJT, is Destroying the USA... Why Would They Interfere?...
I found it interesting that Fox, which covered the speech, was quick to advise its viewers that it had seen no evidence of tampering with voting machines. Once bitten...
As usual Trump will be reverting to what has worked in the past, generating chaos and delay. And as a reminder, Trump has dismantled the election integrity apparatus in the federal government so it is not clear who would prosecute the cases in the Federal Courts, and the House and Senate get to decide who to seat themselves in the case of contested elections. So seat the Republicans who win in each chamber arguing that they have been elected in states that enacted all of these “election integrity statutes”, and then contest enough opposition seats to maintain a majority.
Trump is desperate. This is worth a try and last night’s speech was perfectly designed to plant the seeds of conspiracy with his base.
I am not a lawyer, but it is not clear to me from reading the Congressional Research Service Document whether the current Congress or the new Congress would adjudicate claims. What is clear is that the have enormous latitude in who they can choose to seat and when.
As always your analysis makes prefect sense. Pity we haven't a shadow government; you'd make a damn fine chief intelligence analyst; love the way you think...
Georgia, we stop them by getting state officials to guard the places where the ballots are being counted and stored for later recount. It would be great if some of those Trumpian thieves could be arrested when they show up at tallying places and quietly taken away until the states can certify the vote. Even Red staters need to do the right thing here, even though they would prefer to kiss Trump's nether regions. Trump does not remember how many times those red stateers have done the smooching, so it will be easy for him to harm them too because maybe the smooch wasn't deep enough.
I understand what you are saying, but with a corrupt DOJ, they can institute “voter fraud” investigations, and give the House an excuse not to seat opposition winners. Read the Congressional Research Service report on the power of the House to decide at its discretion who to seat by majority vote. Mike Johnson is an expert in Constitutional law. He and the Heritage Foundation and Federalist Society folk are working overtime to put a scrim of legality and legitimacy over the election corruption that Trump’s minions are planning.
Who has the power to override election results and decide who is seated? Ultimately it is the House and Senate themselves. Think George Santos. Federal Courts have jurisdiction over some aspects of election law for House and Senate races. I could see injunctions coming out of the more conservative districts, hanging up the elections of the few blue districts that remain in red states. The red state redistricting has already made it harder to get a blue tsunami, as have all of the voter suppression laws enacted in the those states.
Having a huge blue wave is a necessary but not sufficient condition to stop a Trump and MAGA regime that is desperate. We need look at all of the tools that are available to him and his minions.
Also -- in the blue states that have suicidally disarmed their populations even as the ChristoNazis infiltrated all their law enforcement agencies -- who will protect the election officials?
Trump is running the regime for lying liars who lie as easily as they breathe. Many are Christian Nationalists and Conspiracists, and one can conflate the two in many cases. Oligarchs bought Trump his presidency and as such they may decide to buy the next presidency too. Who will they find to carry on Trump's work for them?
I always said that the Manchurian vice president was worse than the scumbag president Russell. It might look like impossible to surpass trump's records but I'm sure he'll be able.....
You may be right, Frau K, but I keep thinking about Mike Johnson. At least from my point of view, he seemed to materialize out of nowhere and rose to grasp the Speaker's gavel as he now occupies the seat second from the presidency.
Vance is a social clunker. Rubio is a mouse. Johnson is neither. He is unpopular with us, but I suspect he quite acceptable to a majority of Republicans, especially the christofascist base.
The Trump administration continues to leak like a sieve and that's probably because of the low morale of career officials. It's no wonder the DoJ is pursuing journalists who write the stories that are leaked to them.
This is an administration that is just flailing at every perceived enemy with diminishing results as it continues to ignore the real problems facing your country. The recent stories about Hegseth wanting the US military to get testosterone boosters and his defence of dangerous low-altitude flyovers - this during a continuing and futile war with Iran that threatens the global economy - shows just how ridiculous it has become.
The testosterone thing is really weird! At first I thought it was an AI joke making fun of Hegseth and his whole masculinity thing. So now I’m wondering what he’s going to do about the women in the military. Are they going to be given testosterone too??
America’s cities are choking on smoke, but Trump is more interested in putting his face on a coin, and firing the new Attorney General before his bum even hits the seat. Treating the machinery of government like a reality TV show while the planet literally burns. Why am I reminded of Chairman Mao’s disastrous Great Leap Forward, where ideological vanity replaced practical governance? Millions pulled off farms to feed backyard furnaces in a bid to prove China could outproduce the industrial world. The result was not national greatness. It was one of the worst famines in human history. When leaders become more interested in monuments to themselves than the unglamorous work of governing, their enablers would do well to revisit the history books. Reality always sends the bill.
Accepting "Trump won the 2020 election" has become a ritual religious doctrine. Believers must accept this in public or suffer instant excommunication.
Religious doctrine has its own belief-based system in which societies give license to suspend reason. If we do history, science, governance or everyday life with a similar suspension of reason, we'll have an insane society. The reality now is that our government founded on the law that we will have no government by religion has been violated. We have a faith-based government and it is insane, It seeks to make our society insane by driving out rational thinking and demand for evidence. If it succeeds, the rest of humanity will have to destroy it or be destroyed by it as a matter of self-defense.
Anne Marie, it is not my intention to offend anyone, but sometimes reality is offensive, especially to people who choose to delude themselves into believing something for which there is absolutely no evidence.
For people who make that choice, my comment will have no effect.
Thank you for your reply, Dale. I’m not sure I can agree with you. For whatever reason, the comment saddened me. Maybe because to me, it is a large leap from this belief to the “wanna be”Christian Nationalists ‘s beliefs.
''The Republic’s New Intelligence Test: Pretend Not to Know Anything''
Apparently, the new qualification for running American intelligence is the ability to stare directly at a fact and behave as though it just escaped into the woods.
Senator Jon Ossoff asked Trump’s nominee a brutal trick question: “Who won the 2020 election?” Not nuclear launch codes. Not the population of Liechtenstein. Not even “Explain cryptocurrency.” Just the name of the person who won an election six years ago.
The nominee responded with the verbal equivalent of hiding under a conference table. He would not “do this,” would not “engage in theater,” and finally sat in silence. Nothing says “ready to oversee national intelligence” like being defeated by a question answered on every calendar printed in 2021.
Of course, this was not confusion. It was obedience. In the Trump loyalty economy, truth is a luxury import, and everyone is expected to buy domestic delusion.
Meanwhile, the administration is preparing a commemorative Trump coin, because apparently the presidency does not provide enough opportunities for personal branding. A White House helipad is being built without the usual reviews, and the Reflecting Pool reportedly began peeling apart after repairs. Naturally, someone else had to be blamed. When reality produces an invoice, this administration simply stamps it “vandalism” and hands it to a random cyclist.
Beyond the palace renovations, the country is dealing with war, wildfire smoke, deadly floods, unaffordable groceries, and a nationwide outbreak of gastrointestinal illness. It is an impressive governing philosophy: deny the problem, blame a stranger, and schedule a televised grievance session.
Trump then gives a lie-laden prime-time speech about restricting elections. Naturally. When approval ratings are falling, prices are rising, and the country is choking on smoke, the obvious priority is relitigating the election you lost.
America is not being governed. It is being forced to attend one man’s six-year sore-loser seminar, and apparently attendance was mandatory.
it used to be that when a public figure was caught out on a lie, he (usually a he) would stop telling it, whether or not admitting it was a lie. In the Trump era, he just doubles down and keeps telling it - for years on end.
Character is the most important qualification for public office. Speechwriters can make someone articulate, and employees and appointees can provide intelligence. But a bad character is not redeemable.
The Todd Blanche story as in each episode of Wagon Train which Star Trek was based on and actually part of the storytelling cycles of indegenious cultures. According to The Puglist he attended a New Mexico boarding school. Many boarding schools have issues both with in the elite systems and the charity care systems throughout history . It all depends on random luck with who is there at the time along with educational philosophy . Charles Dickens showed this in David Copperfield and was incensed at the American zeitgeist and penal system he saw on his visit. Someone should do a wagon Train episode for all of this administration. One by one.
The problem is that if a political appointee does not pass the Trump loyalty test, they are out. (You can read online how the administration asks about Jan 6, who they voted for, the 2020 election, if they donated to the Democratic Party, etc.) There are good people that would like to serve the country that are stuck in trying to navigate the “loyalty test” and then a senate confirmation hearing where if they answer questions truthfully like “who won the 2020 election”, the regime will pull their name. In some cases, forcing someone to answer under oath is shooting ourselves in the foot - their name gets pulled & some true sycophant gets put in. We are getting less & less qualified people. How to navigate this?
Maybe Senators should meet privately with these people first.
Jay Clayton knows the truth. For him, that is the central problem. He also knows the pleasures of power. He's tasted it and like the hyena who hunts the disabled and weak, he wants more of it. That's when the lions need to step in. Hyenas, by their nature, are cowardly. They will hunt in packs to feed their own stomachs as opposed to a pride of lioness' who will hunt in a pack to feed the family. The Trump kkklan, is all about hyena attributes; every single one of them are in the pack. The one difference is that hyenas in nature are necessary to keep the ecosystem healthy; the hyenas within the republican party are all about destroying the ecosystem in which we live, and on which we all depend.
Your point is right on the mark, Kelli. Absent trust, operating a representative government in a large, diverse, complex, dynamic Nation is fundamentally impossible. Remaining a stabilizing force at the global scale? Out of the question. We have now squandered our hard won accumulation of that precious metal that enables civilization. It Is true we have damaged our own reservoir through serious lapses. We have never sought to destroy it completely--until now. Our unprecedented challenge is to begin the long and daunting rebuild. Now. Our first step Is to elect some adults in 2026 who actually believe in Our Great American Experiment. Absent the first step, a long and arduous journey remains a fiction.
Now let's take a look at how the left has treated "truth" over the last few decades. Important French philosophers were mistranslated, which led to an "anything goes" attitude where everything is supposed to be a matter of "individual perspective". How can we still have real, democratic debates among citizens (a crucial pillar of any democracy) if every sentence needs to start with "for me... "?
This is how the left itself has undermined democracy (and I'm saying his as a progressive).
What is lacking today is an autopsy of what the left itself got wrong, rather than imagining that a Democratic party can save democracy on its own, as so many people seem to do today. And we got a LOT wrong.
So yes, objective truths are essential if we want to keep a democracy. But then WE need to be willing to fact-check our own opinions again, rather than going with whatever "feels true to me".
The measure of a democracy is whether *the people* are open to the truth, whether they are informed of the truth, that they even seek and demand the truth, and then demand representatives who represent and fight for that.And when they do not, they are ousted one way or another by the people. Trump and his *soldiers* are working on all fronts. The opposite of democracy comes when there is not enough caring about its demise. We are at that point. It could not be more plain. .. on TV to the nation.
Kelli, that is a profound truth you wrote here. I do wish more of our "public servants" understood that service to the people requires truth, even when it is hard because the one demanding the lie is president.
I find the polling numbers you mention… a 37% approval rating… tragically high. One-third of Americans are that self-destructive? So confused they align themselves with a psychopath with total contempt for them and everyone else?
It's pretty terrifying, isn't it and it's why I believe that appeals to 'We the People' are unlikely to be successful. 77 million Americans voted for this clown and another 90 million didn't bother to vote at all. This suggests far deeper problems with your politics than Donald Trump.
Yes. Much deeper. Trump is a symptom of the underlying disease… not its cause. We have a mental health crisis throughout America (and the world, to be honest). I wrote about this crisis recently. Please check out my Substack
Sarah, I keep repeating the following statistics because it seems that many people don't make the connection. According to Pew Research, 34% of Americans identify as evangelical. 19% identify as Catholic, but Pew doesn't differentiate between "mainline" Catholics and conservative, "Opus Dei" Catholics. It's reasonable to estimate them at 3%, and for convenience, I lump them in with Protestant evangelicals, because their theology is virtually the same. That makes your 37% approval rating.
Why does this matter? Because these conservative religious types view life on Earth as a nuisance that must be endured on their way to heaven. The point of life is to follow the religious rules so they are worthy of entering into heaven.
Heaven is the ultimate goal for evangelicals who die, but what of those who are stuck here on Earth? They look for the "Second Coming of Jesus," who will return to Earth and rule for "a thousand years' reign of peace," dubbed "The Millennium." After that, Jesus will gather up all his followers, both the dead and the living, and take them to heaven, dubbed "The Rapture." The unbelievers will be left behind on Earth, which will become like hell until it is finally destroyed. Evangelicals believe we are living in "The Last Days."
Note: Jesus can't return until after the Battle of Armageddon has been fought in the Middle East and Satan has been bound forever.
Given this so-called "prophecy," evangelicals are quite enthusiastic to get a war in the Middle East started so they can hurry up and get to The Millennium part. It should also be noted that when you believe Earth is on the verge of destruction, there's no motivation to take care of it in the meantime.
Sarah, they do not see the same information we do. Their "information" silos feed them propaganda non-stop. Their critical thinking skills left the building when dogma replaced information.
That 37% number that never seems to drop despite to continuous and blatant depravity of this administration is disturbing but also can be misleading. Assuming my logic and arithmetic is correct, it’s not one third of all Americans! According to Google, there are approximately 236 million people of voting age (not necessarily registered to vote) currently in the US and of those there are approximately 39.2 million registered republicans and of those registered republicans, 37% (~14.5 million) approve. This reveals that approximately 6.1% (of voting age people) approve of the orange turd!
… a 37% approval rating… tragically high... These voters are absolutely willing to destroy their own livelihoods because "owning the libs" and expressing unbridled overt hatred against those who are different than them just feels too good. For that 37%, Trump is like heroin; they are addicted and they cannot ever free themselves of that addiction.
It’s because they refuse any other input into their brains except Fox News. They are like the cowardly Lion repeating over and over “I do believe”, “I do believe”!!
It was 37% of republicans polled, not of general public as a whole (thank goodness). The 15% was of general public approval. The scariest was the high number of "independents" who approve of him.
My feelings exactly, but I bet that 1/3 are low information and/or captives of Fox “News” and other right wing media. As long as we allow the oligarchs to own our media, our politicians, and our judiciary the government will continue to serve their interests rather than the common good. We need political, judicial, educational, regulatory, and societal reforms to get out of our current sorry state of neoliberalism trending toward White Christian nationalist dictatorship.
"I grieve for our country." Fear not, the US will outlive every commenter here. Why not try a more pleasant place, like Mexico, or Estonia, or Latvia, or Belarus.
Isn't it embarrassing to have to carry Trump's piss bucket with you everywhere you go, every time Dear Leader needs a little tinkle? How humiliating, indeed. Thank you, Senator Ossoff, for pointing out the obvious.
This summer's going to be long, hot, demented and ugly. Tonight, amid plummeting popularity and mounting desperation, poor widdle Pwesident Butthurt picked up the world’s tiniest violin and proceeded to play his sad widdle concerto in the key of whine flat…
But the point of that 25 minute-long exercise in political pornography wasn’t to repeat the usual lies, familiar inanities and demented ramblings of a desperate idiot about 2020. It was to frighten you right now, to get you not to vote this November, especially if you live in Georgia or another purple area, to make it not worth your time and effort. And like all squirrel squirrel squirrel, look-at-the-squirrel shell games, it was also meant to divert you from thinking about how much an unplanned, totally unthought-through, obsessive-compulsive war against Iran has turned to shit for him.
In 2021, as everybody knows, he had lowlifes and goons attack police officers and smear feces all over the walls of Congress. Several officers died. Hundreds were wounded. But the lowlife coup didn't work. This time, a uniformed, "official" coup is being planned. There will be staged attempts -- however comical, however serious -- to seize voting machines as soon as the terrible numbers start coming in on Election Day affirming the upcoming disaster for the Republican Party.
Yet we, not they, have the winning cards. Poll watchers, poll workers and attorneys will be scattered all over the country to make sure laws are upheld. Immediate lawsuits will be filed should state laws be violated. Several states have already passed laws to the effect of 'if you screw with our voting processes or machines, we will arrest you, even should you wear the uniform of the National Guard, or Homeland Security.’
Other states need to get with the program. Stand in their way. Block the door. A Blue Tsunami is mounting. Your sane response to his terror remains critically important. Donate, organize, volunteer to be a poll watcher or a poll worker. Be a witness, not a bystander. Remember that “too big to rig” remains the best, and really the only insurance against all of this. Eyes on the prize, not the nuttiness. Work for victory. We need all the help we can get.
"poor widdle Pwesident Butthurt picked up the world’s tiniest violin and proceeded to play his sad widdle concerto in the key of whine flat…" --- thank you for the hearty laugh, ICTT.
She doesn’t say nasty things. She just posts about what is actually happening in very skillful way that highlights the madness. Or she writes about history to highlight that history is repeating itself as a warning, or as a roadmap to thwarting tyranny. Of course highlighting history or telling the truth about this regime can be dangerous now but she is imo skillfully walking a fine and clear line.
I too, everyday, am stunned HCR is still not blocked. I also wonder if HCR has a security team. I tend to doubt it. She is very smart though so I don't worry.
I have taken the training , my attempt to help , and in that process realized the dedication to honesty and all that’s right is the oath they take , its honor those poll workers give , their time ,energy , and truth to uphold not only The law and procedure , but simple honest carry-through. It’s a 15+ hour day.
To support it was “rigged” and continue the lustfilled lie was his first confession of demented intent.
The saddest fact of all were the multitudes willing to give up not only their own integrity for such insane vanity, pure selfish obsession, for the lives of generations- some even ancestors -who gave their all defending The American Dream.
And the world wept.
And more innocents will die
Hold precious the blessings so taken for granted .
I love that characterization: Piss boys - and girlz. All toting around the 'chamber pot' for 'it.' That should go viral ICTT; Contact Borowitz to come up with a fitting meme !
"This summer's going to be long, hot, demented and ugly. Tonight, amid plummeting popularity and mounting desperation, poor widdle Pwesident Butthurt picked up the world’s tiniest violin and proceeded to play his sad widdle concerto in the key of whine flat…"
Today, the country is spinning out of control and it's because truth is no longer even slightly important to those who would have us disconnect from reality altogether. We have to hang onto reality by our fingernails and push back hard to insist there are elections and certified results in November. It may be hard or scary but unless we do, I fear it may be game over. To myself and to everyone, I say do something every day.
The more democrats in power in every state, the better. There are elections constantly. Write at least 5 postcards a day with TonyTheDemocrat. Everybody can print or knows someone who can! Sign up with your local Indivisible chapter or start one. Or sign up as a poll watcher. There is a job for everyone.
I LOVE what Senator Ossoff said was going to happen with trump’s address to the nation 😅 Send encouragement so he keeps it up, others to be just as vocal, and to Republicans to grow a spine!
Resource below to easily contact all of Congress. Be LOUD! 💔🤍💙
Use/share this spreadsheet (bit.ly/Goodtrouble) to contact members of Congress, the Cabinet and news organizations. Call. Write. Email. Protest. Unrelentingly!
Reach out (beyond your own) to as many in the Senate and House as you can. All of this is bigger than “I only represent my constituents” issues.
Cheeto’s Paranoid Speech: Jan 6 Is Coming Early In November
There is moral reckoning that is facing the American electorate. Will WE the People choose the morally right thing to do and keep our democratic republic? Cheeto is setting the stage to allege voter fraud in the upcoming midterms in order to seize ballot boxes by the miliary on election day. That will be the day when our democracy will die.
In a demented screed a depraved lawless immoral Cheeto has decided to cherry pick heavily redacted national intelligence material on the WH website to fit the Nazi Republican narrative. He hopes to create conspiracy theories about election interference by foreign actors which is just part of the agenda to discredit free and fair elections using blatant factual inconsistencies. In the end Cheeto ended with a demand to pass the SAVE Act in order to disenfranchise voters.
Make no mistake, the Congressional Nazi Republicans and the RNC are clearly in collusion with Cheeto to pursue propaganda to their end. They have for decades been working to rig elections to include Russian interference(bit.ly/4vL02hi). They have something to gain by going along with their demented mad dictator. If they can even partially spare themselves from a Democratic landslide to a more moderate loss, it will be a win. This is Cheeto’s way to mitigate the polling damage that his Project 2025 agenda has reeked on the American government and WE the People. They have nothing to lose and something to gain.
Voter action is mandatory. No Nazi Republican should be voted into office in November 2026. Vote EARLY and use ballot boxes.
History is not shaped only by the decisions leaders make, but also by the questions they refuse to answer. Silence can reveal as much about power as words ever could.
Take some time away to recharge. Nature is good, libraries and museums are good.
In music, we call it "stagger breathing" when a long, sustained note or passage is required. The section chooses who breathes when so that the note is sustained AND all are able to sing/play. My favorite experience of this was when our two tuba section played de Maij's "Hobbits Symphony No. 1"; movement 5 ends with 30+ measures of a sustained C two octaves below middle C. In that section, we split breathing; he was "even" and I was "odd" (reference to measure numbers). Neither of us could play the full 32 measures without breathing, but working together there was a sustained note throughout.
Watch a brilliant Jon Ossoff defend the 2022 John Lewis Voting bill. And a tetchy Susan Collins try to defend her vote against it. This presages Ossoff's work today. .https://youtu.be/g_tFhYdu-SU?si=1XvBPnj5KC68JPOP.
In light of subsequent Roberts Court predations and the perversions in the SAVE act, Ossoff was prescient in his early support of the need for Congress to protect civil rights and voters' rights.
In a sense, it is Ossoff who has carried the mantle of Margaret Chase Smith for decency and honesty. A mantle which Susan Collins has only dragged through the mud toadying to Trump and MAGA. And like Chase Smith, Ossoff spoke out courageously as a very new member of Congress criticizing a very senior member.
“I speak for the state of Georgia when I say do not invoke Congressman Lewis’s name to signal your virtue while you work to erode his legacy and defy his will,” said the Georgia Democrat.
Collins joined the Republican caucus in voting against a measure that would have brought the voting rights bill to the floor.
In particular, Ossoff was voicing support for the section of the John Lewis bill that would restore federal preclearance, or the requirement that the U.S. Department of Justice approve any changes to voting law by states that have a history or pattern of voter suppression — a provision of the 1965 Voting Rights Act that was stripped by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2013.
Ossoff singled out Collins by name for vocally supporting pre-clearance in 2006, but now refusing to allow debate on the bill amid a new wave of voter suppression efforts.
“What I was respectfully noting, Senator Collins, without any implications with respect to your motives or integrity, was what I believe to be an inconsistency, an inconsistency between voting repeatedly to reauthorize the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and lauding it as a signature Civil Rights achievement but then voting to not even allow debate in this body on the legislation that was created to respond to the Supreme Court’s invitation to uphold its pre-clearance provision,” Ossoff responded." .https://mainebeacon.com/collins-ossoff-clash-over-john-lewis-legacy/.
Amusing no after Trump insisting there was no Russian election interference despite hard evidence he has now "discovered" this massive, dastardly, Chinese plot?
I sure hope the local and state law enforcement authorities in Georgia and elsewhere are preparing to uphold their own laws should the Federal government attempt an illegal seizure of ballots.
Ossoff has a way with words., and he writes his own stuff.
He also needs money to win his election because he depends on our small donations, not billionaires. So please help him out. We all really need him to win. Republican PACs are pouring many millions into the campaign to defeat him-so please help out if you possibly can.
Check his website. There should be a street address or P.O. Box. Plenty of folks in rural GA don't have credit cards and don't want to pay online. Not all of them are Republicans.
" On 1 July 2025, the CDC downgraded FoodNet, the active surveillance network it has run with the FDA, the USDA and 10 state health departments since 1995, making tracking of Cyclospora optional at its sites, along with listeria, campylobacter, shigella, vibrio and yersinia. Of the eight pathogens it was built to watch, six were downgraded to optional. Salmonella and E coli remained mandatory. The change arrived with budget cuts and no public announcement, and was reported almost two months later, when a journalist asked."
The rallying cry that 200 million Americans need to unify on is this:
"We will no longer stand for Trump and the Project 2025 billionaires behind him #SquanderingAmericasGreatness. We are the actual patriots, the folks on the left and right that demand adherence to the Constitution and serving our government with integrity, honor, and steadfast dedication"
My hope is that former MAGA folks rebrand as #ConstitutionalConservatives, because the fracturing of those principles is done daily by Trump and the #SimpletonSycophants throughout his government.
Today's GOP is trapped, forced to back the #SeditiousConspiracy where their role is to sit on their hands and allow corruption, waste, and the destruction of democracy itself.
Voting was never just posting a personal opinion, it is each of our personal contributions to shaping our society's future, for all of us together. A vote is a terrible, terrible thing to waste, and right now every single vote is needed. Every single vote is needed.
Will Republicans in power sit back and let Trump drive a stake through democracy’s heart? Look away as Trump sends ICE’s armed goods to intimidate voters in large Democrat-run cities? I fear the answer is yes.
The measure of a public servant isn’t just whether they know the truth. It’s whether they’re willing to tell it when it carries a personal cost.
Most threats to democracy don’t begin with people who can’t distinguish truth from falsehood. They begin with people who know the difference but choose loyalty over honesty. When public office rewards loyalty over truth, institutions stop serving the public and begin serving power.
Truth isn’t just a personal virtue in a democracy. It’s one of its essential institutions.
Democracy is like the little kid in the schoolyard the bullies have it in for. And all of us are the older kids watching all of it unfold from the sidelines. Slowly, but surely, we're realizing that the little kid isn't going to make it through on his own. It's we who have to come out of the shadows and sidelines and take the bullies on. There's no other choice. One day -- if not already -- the bullies are going to come for us. If we don't come to that little kid's aid right now, who's going to come to ours later on?
Ask Renee, Alex, and others brutally murdered, if they (ICE et al) have come for us already. Oh, that's right, I forgot, they're dead.
Some Good News: Per Minnesota local ABC11, the Minnesota Reformer, Hennepin County Attorney https://www.hennepinattorney.org & a GOOGLE AI search:
"The Minnesota criminal investigation into the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents has experienced a major breakthrough, as federal prosecutors finally turned over a trove of previously long-withheld evidence to [Minnesota] state investigators [including Renee's damaged SUV].
"Hennepin County Attorney MARY MORIARTY announced the major update, confirming that local [Minnesota] prosecutors and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) now have possession of the key files needed to independently evaluate whether criminal charges are warranted."
Possible justice for Renee & Alex is progressing.🎯
UPDATE: Progress for Renee AND Alex!
***************************************
Per Minnesota (TNND) — "Federal prosecutors have turned over key evidence in the fatal ICE shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti to Minnesota investigators after months of legal battles, marking a major breakthrough in the state's effort to investigate the deaths". [murders].
Excellent news, Counselor. It is my opinion that both of those cases are unjustifiable uses of deadly force, and that the DA is absolutely on the right track.
I concur Sheriff. As you know, professional criminal investigations requires diligent work & long hours.
Personal disclosure; Yesterday I gave notice on LFAA that I have withdrawn from the practice of law. So no more "JDinCA". It's a good thing. No worries.
My neighbors tease me and call me "Bryan with a "y"to distinguish me from the 1000's of "Brians" that were born in the 1950's.
Ah, took down the shingle again, Counselor? I will still use that title as a sign of courtroom protocol.
I have a friend who is Bryan with a Y, born in 1940s
I’ll wait until the plus size lady actually sings before celebrating.
James, I think of myself as an optimist, but I agree with you. My hopes have been dashed SO MANY times with anything Trump related!
Keep the faith! As Americans we are both the inheritors of and the participants in the most extraordinary, the most crucial, the riskiest, and the most complex ongoing experiment in human society and government ever attempted. We the People have the power to send Trumpism into history’s garbage bin if we choose to do so.
As the old saying goes, Nobody promised us a rose garden. Democracy is hard to win and harder to maintain. But it is also, as Lincoln said, ‘the last best hope of earth’.
As Ally posted above 👀 state prosectors are on "right track".
To quote another aphorism of a somewhat similar meaning, “There’s many a slip twixt the cup and the lip”
It may well be that the Trump administration has finally realized that it has to throw somebody under the bus because this issue is not going to go away, no matter how many distractions they try to throw at us. And particularly because of the more recent ICE shooting deaths in Texas and Maine. Of course once they throw one shooter under the bus, it will be almost impossible to ignore the others.
I hear the wife of the Biddeford shooter is already online claiming her husband is mentally disturbed and has abused her. This will play right into the right’s eternal claim that gun violence is not a Second Amendment issue, but rather a mental health issue. Plus ca change!
Well said, James! I remember watching her on our black & white tv with the antennas! I wonder how many readers know the lady to whom you refer and what that means.
Just as an aside, you might be interested in the explanation quoted below. Also in reference the eruption of Mt Pele in 1902 when a famous diva was supposed to have arrived just before the eruption, but had been held up.
"THE PHRASE originates from sailors on shore leave in days gone by. Steam was the agent of propulsion, and the boiler was affectionately known as the "fat lady". The boiler had to be stoked to build up a head of steam for the ship to leave port. When sufficient pressure had been generated the whistle blew. The "fat lady" had thus sung, to signal to the sailors that their run ashore had ended.
James Schofield, Horrabridge, England (james.schofield@which.ne
Just goes to show how complex such origins can be :)
Like so many popular phrases, the fat lady meme has generated a number of origins. I, too, remember Miss Kate Smith, but it's more likely the original fat lady was Wagner's Valkyrie Brünnhilde, whose final aria ends the Ring story.
I try to quickly skim part of the comments to find my "friends" on here. (And am probably failing to welcome some new folks. 😞)
Bryan, I am always grateful to see what you post, adding context to Heather, or giving us news that she hasn't the room to cover. I haven't been consuming a great deal of media of late as it's taking a toll on me. (Instead, I've been working on my own website which is very close to launching. It is a needed diversion, as it is keeping my mind off the endless firehose that is Trump)
Heather said it would get worse this summer, and it has. Sometimes I feel I love people and hate humanity; other times I hate people and love humanity. I just cannot fathom this insatiable greed, and also how people can justify hunger, sickness and homelessness. This is taking a toll on me. The only balm is finding friends like you here, who are doing SOMETHING while I am sitting this one out, or folks who offer positive thoughts. I am reserving my strength for when midterms are closer. The only thing I've done lately for democracy is to purchase about 100 stamps before the rate hike, to put away for use later this fall.
The current air situation in the Chicago area has prevented me from working on my garden or getting in my daily walks, which in undoubtedly impacting my mental state. Our air, according to airnow.gov peaked at 720 yesterday; it is currently at 441. With flood waters rising several yards in minutes in some areas; drought in other areas; wildfire smoke pouring across the continent, HOW anyone can continue to deny climate change is beyond me! Sometimes I fear that we have gone beyond the point of no return.
More excellent news Miselle's website is on deck.
Ally has "View from the Back Row" How about 'View from the Front Row.com'?
Actually, it isn't a Substack though I considered it.
My husband took a few months to self-teach web design. We registered my domain and I had professional author photos taken. I have been writing content and uploading it. Supposedly, a webpage is the minimum I need to help attract an agent for my manuscripts. Also, I have been told that lack of social media accounts isn't entirely bad. I had been waiting and hoping for Bluesky to overtake Twitter (I refuse to call it what that egotistical moron changed the name to). I'm not very fond of Zuk either, but I've been told FB is very popular with authors.
I find it difficult to make connections with people with the sole goal of seeing what they can do for me. I'd have made a terrible businesswoman, I guess.
When it does go live, I will put the link in my little bio.
There is no accountability, no inquiry, no transparency.
If our government allows people who are simply a different color to be arrested, imprisoned, deported or even shot, or people in boats they "think" maybe running drugs to be bombed, or wars to be started and children murdered, with never a question answered, never a reason given, never a name released, never a Congressional permission sought - what chance do We the People have when they come to arrest, imprison, bomb and murder US?
All of this is on the republican party leadership. They could have and can stop this.
Which is why, in November, we vote them ALL out, from the leadership down to the local dog catcher.
If we have a free and fair election. Big if.
But 37% still like Trump and they love their Republican dog catcher. Thinking 60% will get rid of Republicans is not a possibility.
I wish the judges on our ballots in CA had a D or R by their names!
Yes, and..... Maga is propped up by corporations doing his bidding - helicopter pad? An illegal war exceeds anticipated profits for the war industry, a reflecting pool for profit, bitcoins, environmental destruction for the benefit of mining and Maga profits, clearing out Gaza for possible resorts - the insanity is matched by the greed. Everyday is an affront to what it means to be a human, and to have a divine spark.
But they encourage it, haven’t done anything to stop it and they won’t do anything to stop it. They are racists. They love it and savor the cruelty.
⬆️🎯👏🏼👏🏼
Lady Emsworth, we have each other and the knowledge that if we choose to, we can stop this fascist takeover whose only purpose is so a bunch of rich white boys who never had to grow up can make us all be their servants/slaves while they work to destroy our planet. These whiny white boys have a lot of money, most have elite college degrees, but have the common sense of a baked potato.
They are just like badly-parented toddlers. Trump should have already been impeached, but alas, our Republicans and a few Democrats in Congress have no courage because they were deliberately chosen by those whiny white rich boys because they have none, so will do nothing to stop this Trumpian Project 2025 insanity. We need to get the word out even to the MAGAs that they are expendable for the rich bratty white boy toddlers. In case one is not sure of that, look at what Musk is doing to the wild lands of Texas, His rich tech buddies are doing to communities with their wasteful destructive data centers while lying that they are a community good, Vought has done to our government operations, Vance and Miller have done to drive hatred toward immigrants of color, women, and people of color across this nation.
We do have to stand together in all our diversity to stop this insanity, this powergrubbing collection of wannabee kings, rulers of the world. Maybe we together need to be Superman, Wonderwoman, Batman, and the rest of the superheroes wrapped up as We the People!
Nice essay, Ruth. I have such contempt for these Maga, Musk types or the stunted men and women (the 37%) who support trump et al - people with severely limited intellectual capacity plus no moral core.
Lady E, I absolutely do not comprehend the attitude of my former work cohort (all folks I thought were decent if not good cops) finding no problem with the ICE deployment(s) we've watched for the past year. There are volumes of court opinion regarding traffic stops and the justification for them, and the level of force used when resistance to lawful orders is encountered. These former cops see nothing wrong with these actions. I am dumbfounded.
We humans have this penchant for dividing other humans into "worthy" and "unworthy" (and maybe "not really human at all"). Notice how many white USians were against "welfare" when they assumed that all welfare recipients were Black? Court decisions and official guidelines may be learned and understood intellectually, but what comes to the fore in moments of tension and danger is more likely what's in your gut, or your id -- not written words that you studied.
What motivates you to act/react may be your continuous inner feedback loop about "illegals," a category that magically expands to include green-card holders, naturalized citizens, and native-born Americans if they look Hispanic or Black or anything but white. Adrenaline surges and you may think you're in imminent danger even when you're not. And in that split second there's no time to get a second opinion or even to take a deep breath and think it through.
The police, I believe, have always supported trump and his policies. Remember when trump advised the police that they don't have to carefully escort a potential suspect into a car so s/he doesn't injure his head?
As a retired cop, I cannot disagree too much with you. Most of the cops I knew and trained (in use of force and force documentation and justification) did not behave in that way, although we usually "joked" in some fashion, I never saw any of that. Now, law enforcement radically changed after I left, so I surmise you are more right than I am happy with.
‘Tunnel Vision’…they will only see the terrible abuse of power when ICE comes after THEM…could happen!…the goons have a quota, and ‘wrong place, wrong time’…GONE//DEAD!
And people are dead.
Ally, I am not. Too many in LE have this mentality. Oath Keeper sheriffs, etc.
Lady Emsworth,
Thank you for "BRINGING IT HOME"!!! According to the recent murders, no one is safe from being shot and killed if certain "powers in charge" remain in power.
Will THUGS be allowed to take over 'THE LAND OF THE FREE BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE'!!!
"LADY LIBERTY" is angry!!! Her arms have always been open to INVITE everyone to come to the United States of America, to take a chance on freedom and opportunities to share their gifts and talents as well as to provide a future for their children.
The recent murders are UNAMERICAN!!!! Families are left devastated and fearful!!! Who promotes this kind of evil behavior????
The mystery of human motivation. People are induced by trump to behave a certain way within his structure of governance. Obviously, their actions are predictable in pursuit of their "values." This is not a great moment for history.
A "Chief Executive" who can choose which laws to "faithfully execute" and which to ignore, who can fire and hire anyone at will, whose goon squads can kill and disappear people with no recourse, who himself has been granted immunity from any accountability - this is the definition of a Dictator. We are there, folks. We no longer live in a democracy, but a dictatorship.
They're here. The bullying attacks are all around us Trump's announcement last night removed any doubt that our free and fair election system is now their main target. This is war, plain and simple. Democracy here is now in a life-or-death struggle. The Democratic process is straightforward: one person, one vote, majority rule. Trump intends to disrupt this process.
Drumpf, last night in his screech, claimed Chinese interference in our elections. If anybody is interfering in our elections, it’s Musk w his $250mm in 2024, and his recent $5mm to Rampyswampy. If these donations are legal, and apparently they are, they need to be stopped. And Musk, the obnoxious immigrant, needs to be deported. And, if it was up to me, we would also nationalize whatever assets he happens to have in the US.
And if any of that seems ridiculous, I’m now at a point where I want Dem politicians to play “smash-mouth” politics. Not physical violence, of course, but bend the rules, stretch the rules, break the rules, throw up every road block and do it without apologizing. Politics should be about compromise, but only one side is compromising. Treat this current environment as the bar fight it is, instead of writing sternly worded letters. — Sheesh, I need another espresso.
Spot on. We're now engaged in a war to preserve our democratic republican system. This comes as no surprise to those of us who know Trump for what he is.
I'll vote for that. Definitely.
Richard Sutherland,
What would happen if EVERY AMERICAN refused to pay our taxes or agreed not to go to work.
We are the original rebels!!! What if TOGETHER we stood against tyranny!!! ??
We need to extract "the evil".
We are NOT without power! We are...ie THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!!
That is an interesting thought, Emily. In the final analysis, it seems to me, is that the current war comes down to protecting and then implementing the results found in the ballot boxes. Let's not be deceived - Trump absolutely knows that he lost the 2020 election. As then, he will try to steal this election, too. Still, a nation-wide walk-out could possibly send a message to our cowardly Republican politicians that the gig is up. It is time to go full-scale offensive.
And he has all the armies.
No! He does not have all the armies. Remember the fellow who feared "waking a sleeping giant" way back in the late 30's? That sleeping giant, (America) is an army waking up - again. Trump/MAGA fears of losing are real. So is America's army of voters real. Trump has already lost even though it will not be official until after the November 2026 election.
Thank you, Ted.
I do not plan to pick up a weapon Ted, do you? His armies are armed to the hilt.
Marj,
NOT if all the armies refused to comply. We do not need to comply to bullies!!! Remember who we are!!! We have NEVER been ruled by a Dictator and I am willing to give my own old life...such as it is?...for the future of my children and grand children!!!! I am NOT bowing to Trump or to his "HANDLERS"!!!!!
In my opinion, Trump is just a useful tool to those who really want to take away our freedoms....the ones who have been working for this very opportune occasion for years and have worked to stay undercover!!!!
I do believe exceptions could be made towards a want to be DICTATOR! who...along with his greedy minions are trying to take over OUR COUNTRY
IE THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!!
By the way, has anyone checked Vance's travel schedules??? What is going on with so much time away from responsibilities at home....with "the people".
Action is needed NOW!!!
Emily, do you plan to arm yourself? Not me. Unequivocally not me.
Richard Sullivan, right on. There’s a whole ‘new’ vocabulary that maga uses reminding me of Starbucks lingo that distinguishes ‘real starbucks’s’ users from a newbie: very cleverly constructed to create a fake club-family. The one word that we all recognize is ‘weaponize’, which they not only do with ice, but with almost everything ie The Defense Dept to The War Dept on and on.
Last evening I watched heard miller say that the left(which is really the found to me:-) is ‘jealous’ of t gang’…
it may have been on BBC news preceding the 6:00 news. My mouth opened in astonishment as he spoke.
it’s (miller) not human: it’s somehow a reincarnation of
every evil and desecration of life. Let’s list the vocabulary of violence, lies, and more so we can make it clear not only to each one of us but also to the rest of what’s left of our beautiful blue planet how this gang is using language like a lethal weapon.
As always thank you Richard Sutherland and Professor Heather Cox Richardson.
It would be an insult to other creatures here on earth to say simply that Steven Miller and Donald Trump are both sub-human. They have no equal in the animal world. None. Not even close. I wish that Shakespeare were alive today to put this evil onto paper. Perhaps Miller and Trump will be an inspiration to a modern-day Shakespeare, assuming that such a possibility is even remote.
True, except that in our Federal system it is not one person one vote. The Senate is heavily weighted towards small Red states, the Electoral College has repeatedly given us presidents who lost the popular vote and appointed biased judges, and gerrymandering effectively disenfranchises many, particularly people of color. We have a lot about our political system that needs fixing.
Very true, we don't have a pure democratic system, but rather a democratic republic that has a whole lot of flaws in it. Can it ever be changed peacefully so that all votes carry the same weight, or close to it? I don't think so. So, at some point the Union will dissolve, peacefully, I hope. The West Coast and New England becoming part of Canada, perhaps, leaving the rest to elect idiots to their hearts' content.
Is another January 6th is just around the corner? Well planned, violent, we saw it with our own eyes.
Here’s a reminder from NY Times:
https://youtu.be/jWJVMoe7OY0?is=AO9PCOj13JmelNVn
I thought the same thing Kari.
Very painful and horrifying to watch.
I can't watch it. I'm not sticking my head in the sand, but this stuff can take away my last shred of hope. I'm trying to fan the tiny flame of hope left.
I really really don’t like bullies, ICTT, so tend to watch bullying unfold for only moments (to make an assessment of what I’m seeing) before stepping in, even if in just a small way.
Well said.Do we really have to justify protecting the vulnerable with “ well if we don’t, those bullies may come after us next”? God damn it sometimes we have to do things because it just the decent thing to do. Thank you again for your compassion and wisdom.
ICTT, I wish I could convince everyone my mailing list when I send Heather's letters on a daily basis. Some have voiced distaste for listening to political matters, as it makes them anxious. Just think of how "anxious" they'll be when Trump's and Project 25's aims are all met! No, not all politicians are alike.
Dear ICTT, I gave my ‘comment’ before reading yours…but…we are kindred spirits in our estimation of this regime and its ‘childish, yet BULLY’ leader.
What will become of US Democracy? All the ‘other children’ in Congress are terrified into silence and compliance…and it will get so much worse if Blanche is confirmed…which I see no stop to. 😬
And anyone who thinks a protest every three months or so will stop the effort to end our democracy is part of the problem. There is no significant effort to stop the Dictator and his demonic sycophants. That’s the reality.
There is a way to stop it. We can and must find it.
Last night Trump spewed a long list of lies claiming that information was withheld from him about election interference by foreign nations in 2020. He ended up with an appeal to pass the SAVE America Act because he claims our elections are totally corrupt. This was a call to action to his J6ers to be ready.
ABC and NBC networks did not carry the speech live, but it is available on many outlets on YouTube. I am a believer in knowing your enemy, so listen to it carefully and understand that this is setting the stage for challenges to the midterms. Many red states have passed measures advocated by the Heritage Foundation to suppress the vote. There are no constraints on Trump by Congress or SCOTUS.
There is no question that Trump will interfere in the midterms, most likely by seizing voting machines and ballots in blue states. Yes there will be immediate suits filed in response, but what is plan B while the challenges wend their way through the courts? How do you stop a blue wave? You challenge the results and keep the winners from being sworn in...
From Rachel Bitecofer's July 15th substack The Cycle: "I do not believe Donald Trump will peacefully hand the presidency to a Democratic successor if he loses. I believe he will do exactly what he has done before: claim the election was stolen. I believe he will point to millions of allegedly illegal votes, argue that the outcome is illegitimate because he didn’t get the SAVE Act, and insist that he has a duty not to surrender power to people he declares to be criminals. I believe many elected Republicans will support him in that moment, just as they have repeatedly chosen party loyalty over constitutional principle. And I know that all the agencies that stopped him last time have been purged."
Then he'll call out the National Guard and his Proud Boy thugs to take our voting machines and ballots. What will we do? Who will stop him? What will stop him? What national catastrophe are we on the brink of?
I was walking near the White House a dew days ago. I say “near” because getting close to the White House complex is now impossible. Fencing—apparently permanent fencing—is up around Lafayette Square and temporary fencing extends from the northern tip of the Square all the way to Constitution Ave. and from 15th to 17th streets. It looks like an armed camp because that’s exactly what it is. Bored, sweating National Guard personnel wander the areas where tourists gather. Trump says they will continue to do so until his term expires. He’s building a bunker and a helipad. He has no intention of leaving. C’mon Grim Reaper!
We should have become scared and started to resist much much sooner.
As I've been saying since 22 November 1963...
I know you've said this before and I'm curious about the significance you find in this event. Of course we know what happened to JFK, and the whitewash about what happened, and the mystery that survives until now. But in terms of the direction the country has taken, what are the roots you find in that terrible day, Loren?
Doom predicting doesn’t help. Robert Hubbell says today: “Two things are true: (a) Trump poses a dangerous threat to the midterms that must be taken seriously, and (b) massive voter turnout is a complete answer to any and all voter suppression efforts by Trump.”
My point is that doom scrolling makes everybody feel helpless but as Robert says massive voter turnout, as in Hungary, can change the way the country runs. So we are not helpless, as Robert also says, we are not potted plants.
I’ve worked very hard at the polls during our primaries. I’ve not given up, but think we should be prepared for what’s to come AFTER the midterms.
i didn’t say we were potted plants. What I am saying is that nobody is raising awareness about what happens if there are multiple contested elections as Trump is clearly indicating will happen, and who ultimately decides who is seated. That unfortunately rests with the House and the Senate. Democratic leadership has had numerous failures of imagination and remains reactive and not pro-active. They need to be pro-active NOW.
Feeling doomed to failure doesn't help, Pam, you're right about this. But not to see how dire a situation is can also have a deleterious effect. I agree with Robert that the president poses a dangerous threat to the midterms. I don't have his certainty that "massive voter turnout is a complete answer to any and all voter suppression efforts." This regime already has plans in mind for how to handle a massive voter turnout, this we can be sure of. Given his extreme pathology and that of the cabal that wants to take over permanently the system of government we have, we have to consider and plan for the extreme: his refusal to leave office and recognize an election outcome he doesn't want. Even in 2021 there was some fear that he wouldn't leave office (but he did, albeit very ungracefully). Now he's a far more aggressive despot. While We must do all we can to ensure a massive voter turnout, there does need to be some contingency plan for The Day After. What if he does win? What if he loses and won't give up power and Republicans or the Proud Boys won't let a new Congress be sworn in? I do think there are people out there planning for this possibility.
Thanks, Pam. I've been known to spend hours on the comments, and of late, some days I totally skip, others I quickly skim looking for familiar faces. If I still have a smidgen of hope, I can grow it. If everywhere I turn, doom predicting stomps on it, I'm done for.
And with that note, I'm logging off today.
Please don't stay away too long; you will truly be missed.
That is kind, Loren.
I'm hoping that my website will be live in a week. When it is, I will announce and put it into my little bio attached to my name. I'm not good at self promotion, so not going to make a big deal in the comment section here.
I DON'T intend to leave the comment section here, it's just that I've felt overwhelmed by all of this (bad words!) Trump is dumping on us. I understand the frantic feelings many here have, and I wish I could comfort them, but as they say in the airlines, ya gotta put your own oxygen mask on first.
I did manage to call Thune today.
My husband taught himself web design, and I've been writing content for it. We have a dear young friend who is somewhat semi-professional photographer. While that is not her profession (she does data programming for hedge funds) she spent COVID learning professional photography via Nixon websites they provided free. She has tons of lenses, cameras, and knows how to use applications to color correct, remove shadows and glares, etc. (Sadly, she had no way to take 20 years and/or 20 pounds off of me, but I jest, as actually, I'm grateful for the years and the body I have.)
When it goes live, please come visit me there. My dream is to NOT replace this wonderful HCR family, but have another place where we can consider life other than Trump.
He cannot run again.
Do you think that will stop him? Only two things will stop him: countervailing power, or death.
With the latter option he gets his face on a coin.
Ah, head’s we win, tail’s he loses 🤞
Remember how coins used to be placed over the eyes of deceased persons?
"Paris is worth a Mass." (King Henry IV of France) I'd accept that trade-off, BobCaster.
(And this week Scott Besset announced he was getting his face on a coin being called a commemorative coin, since the law prohibits putting a living person's face on US currency.)
Ewwwwwww, gross. No way will a coin with that mug on it ever be found in my possession.
in violation of the law.
Well, according to this letter - he already IS getting his face on a coin!
Who's the countervailing power?
We are. Those fighting in the courtrooms, those at the barricades, those taking a more aggressive role?
‘Ninja SCORPIONS’ baby! The 🍔🍔🍔 have all surrendered….but Trump still chews them up! 🫤
Rules and laws don't apply to trump. He does whatever he wants when he wants. He's like a 5 year old child.
I disagree with your comparison, klutt. As old as I am, I remember being 5 years old, and I most certainly did not get to do whatever I wanted whenever I wanted. That's because I had responsible parents who thought training begins as early as a child is intellectually capable of understanding. They made many, many mistakes, but they had the right idea.
The only human beings who are able to do whatever they want whenever they want are infants. For that reason, we diaper them.
Rumors are that Donald wears diapers.
👏🏼👏🏼
See my (rather long) comment re ‘the child’ in the White House. And just be glad DJT doesn’t decide to have it painted ‘Orange’…well ‘burnt sienna’ to be correct.
The National Guard in place until 2029 tells a different story. They have no intention of ceding power- regardless of who’s on the ticket.
Chris, as I scan for my friends, I see your name that I don't recognize. Checking that thingy next to your name, you've been here three months. Have I welcomed you before? As self-appointed Walmart greeter of the forum, I like to do so, so WELCOME! 👋🏼
Perhaps I HAVE welcomed you prior, and if so, apologies. I will blame our current events making me crazy. I am losing track of all the newbies, but that is a POSITIVE dilemma, as it means so many good folks have found Heather and the community here! ❤️I hope everyone who pulls out their credit card and takes the leap discovers a tribe that embraces them!
(BTW, my husband loves to trace his family--any my family--trees as well. I hope you find inspirational, good things in your search.)
Glad to have you here.
And those huge fences.
He is living the Judge Dredd world - I am the Law!
For months I’ve said Trump will declare an emergency and insist that the current Congress remain seated while the courts sort out the dozens of frivolous lawsuits that will be filed to challenge races Republicans lose in the mid-terms. When the courts sort rightly dismiss them, Trump will claim the judges are “crooked.” In the interim, Congress will be in chaos. Those who say this is impossible because such a coup is prohibited by existing law have not been paying close attention, IMO. Trump and his suckling sycophants do not care about the rule of law. They care about only two things: money and power. There will be blood. That’s where we are.
It won't be surprising if he ties Congress and the courts up in frivolous lawsuits over every single Democratic win in the House or Senate. He's that crazy and that self-absorbed. It will be 2020 on steroids that are on steroids! This time he will need to be put in a straight-jacket and carried out of the WH.
Be prepared.
I have had very similar thoughts. These are terrifying times.
I think there’s a good chance he’ll be dead by 2028. Or so far gone that even the sniveling, spineless, pedophiles protecting republicans and their maga wealthy donors will remove him.
Hope springs eternal...
He'll be dead by then
Jen, I've predicted death as one option. The other is that he will be so stark, raving mad that even his handlers can no longer conceal his mental state. I am not a psychologist nor a psychiatrist, but I am a son who observed his mother's journey through dementia.
Every dementia patient's journey is different, but the experts divide the progression into five stages. My mother's journey lasted about 18 months. We didn't recognize Stage 1 because the symptoms were hard to distinguish from "old-age forgetfulness." As Mom progressed, each stage lasted for a shorter span of time.
Mom had excellent, award-winning care throughout her journey, which only made her comfortable. The best care does not slow the progression of dementia; it just reduces the anxiety and suffering.
Based on my experience, I estimate that Donald is in either late Stage 1 or early Stage 2. If there are records of his father's dementia journey, they'd be useful for predicting Donald's.
The problem with this particular patient, Dale, is that we don't know what is attributable to dementia and what is attributable to pathological mental illness. He may be only in Stage 1 of dementia but he is at the extreme end of the spectrum of mental illness. (Stage 5? Stage 10? Stage 3896? Where are the experts?) I would find him more likable if he were farther into dementia, where (I believe) many of our pathologies lose their power.
I think it's Stage 8647 of sociopathic mental illness. 😊
If they attempt it in California, they will be arrested and charged with a felony. Newsom just signed it into law.
May more states to this!
Yes, the voting is rigged except when repugs win. 🤦♀️
Hello Georgia... I suspect that DJT is retreating further into DJT's Fantasy World, because what we call Reality is getting too painful for DJT... DJT has failed his entire Life, and now is facing his Mortality... DJT is Amoral, and Panicky.... DJT's Insanity, and Panic showed in DJT's Speech tonite... I would not be surprised if DJT initiates some adverse Situation with China... There may be some adverse machinations stemming from the Iran War... With the Closing of the Bab el-Mandeb, and the Strait-Of-Hormuz, 30% of the World's Oil Exports are at Risk...
That will render the Suez Canal obsolete?
Hello Anne-Louise... Yes, the Netanyahu War is turning into One-Disaster-After-Another... Israel Kazz, the Israeli Defense Minister, has declared that he wants to Ethically Cleanse Gaza, and Seize All Of Gaza...
I do not even for a New York Minute think the British and the French will sit on their thumbs if the Trumpster War nullifies the Suez Canal.
He urgently needs a bit of ethical cleansing himself.
Hello Anne-Louise... Defense Minister Kazz claims to be Pious.. He should live up to the Best of his Religion...
I believe that most of the world leaders are well aware that Trump is stark raving mad. Hopefully they will be slow to respond to his provocations. Iran, being also run by stark raving madmen did respond, as every previous President both Democratic or Republican knew would happen. Bibi Netanyahu has been trying for years to get the US to fight a war in the Middle East on Israel's (and Bibi's) behalf. He finally found one who is stupid enough to do it. China plays the long game. I do not believe they would react recklessly. They can just sit by and see if the US is going to survive the Trumpian era and remain a viable real world actor. Only a little over two years to go for that answer.
Hello Linda... China has the Oldest Continuous Civilization... They see the USA at the very least as a Competitor... MAGA, DJT, is Destroying the USA... Why Would They Interfere?...
I found it interesting that Fox, which covered the speech, was quick to advise its viewers that it had seen no evidence of tampering with voting machines. Once bitten...
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/apr/18/fox-dominion-settle-us-defamation-lawsuit
As usual Trump will be reverting to what has worked in the past, generating chaos and delay. And as a reminder, Trump has dismantled the election integrity apparatus in the federal government so it is not clear who would prosecute the cases in the Federal Courts, and the House and Senate get to decide who to seat themselves in the case of contested elections. So seat the Republicans who win in each chamber arguing that they have been elected in states that enacted all of these “election integrity statutes”, and then contest enough opposition seats to maintain a majority.
Trump is desperate. This is worth a try and last night’s speech was perfectly designed to plant the seeds of conspiracy with his base.
https://www.congress.gov/crs_external_products/IF/PDF/IF11734/IF11734.1.pdf
I am not a lawyer, but it is not clear to me from reading the Congressional Research Service Document whether the current Congress or the new Congress would adjudicate claims. What is clear is that the have enormous latitude in who they can choose to seat and when.
As always your analysis makes prefect sense. Pity we haven't a shadow government; you'd make a damn fine chief intelligence analyst; love the way you think...
Faux news and the Murdoch’s need to be chased out of this country with pitchforks and knives.
I wonder what China will have to say about the information that they influenced the 2020 election.
And he never mentioned the Russians influence in 2016.
Strange, that.
Mentioned? Oh, but he did.... "Russia Russia Russia". "Hoax". (rinse and repeat endlessly). We never saw the final report.
there was a congressional report in 2019 by a committee chaired by Rubio that confirmed extensive Russian interference.
Not much, I would guess. They do not take Trump's fulminations seriously.
True. At worst, they'll probably laugh.
That's what I was imagining. They had a good laugh over Trump's last visit.
They have great respect for the elderly - even the demented ones.
Respect, taking into account their age and infirmity.
I imagine they will clap their hands in glee -- since it indicates how powerful he thinks China is.
Mail-in ballots. Unfortunately, I can see ballots nit getting delivered.
Georgia, we stop them by getting state officials to guard the places where the ballots are being counted and stored for later recount. It would be great if some of those Trumpian thieves could be arrested when they show up at tallying places and quietly taken away until the states can certify the vote. Even Red staters need to do the right thing here, even though they would prefer to kiss Trump's nether regions. Trump does not remember how many times those red stateers have done the smooching, so it will be easy for him to harm them too because maybe the smooch wasn't deep enough.
I understand what you are saying, but with a corrupt DOJ, they can institute “voter fraud” investigations, and give the House an excuse not to seat opposition winners. Read the Congressional Research Service report on the power of the House to decide at its discretion who to seat by majority vote. Mike Johnson is an expert in Constitutional law. He and the Heritage Foundation and Federalist Society folk are working overtime to put a scrim of legality and legitimacy over the election corruption that Trump’s minions are planning.
Who has the power to override election results and decide who is seated? Ultimately it is the House and Senate themselves. Think George Santos. Federal Courts have jurisdiction over some aspects of election law for House and Senate races. I could see injunctions coming out of the more conservative districts, hanging up the elections of the few blue districts that remain in red states. The red state redistricting has already made it harder to get a blue tsunami, as have all of the voter suppression laws enacted in the those states.
Having a huge blue wave is a necessary but not sufficient condition to stop a Trump and MAGA regime that is desperate. We need look at all of the tools that are available to him and his minions.
Also -- in the blue states that have suicidally disarmed their populations even as the ChristoNazis infiltrated all their law enforcement agencies -- who will protect the election officials?
Trump is running the regime for lying liars who lie as easily as they breathe. Many are Christian Nationalists and Conspiracists, and one can conflate the two in many cases. Oligarchs bought Trump his presidency and as such they may decide to buy the next presidency too. Who will they find to carry on Trump's work for them?
JD Vance is appears to be ready to take a shot at it with his own brand of crazy.
https://www.propublica.org/article/jd-vance-alex-jones-leonard-leo-teneo-maddow-video
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/30/jd-vance-alien-ufo-are-demons
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/7SvA0Qz1Qow
Respectfully disagree. The plutocrats are strategic-minded enough to buy some change-we-can-believe-in Democrat for the sake of plausible deniability.
I always said that the Manchurian vice president was worse than the scumbag president Russell. It might look like impossible to surpass trump's records but I'm sure he'll be able.....
Vance isn’t popular. Rubio is a more likely candidate.
You may be right, Frau K, but I keep thinking about Mike Johnson. At least from my point of view, he seemed to materialize out of nowhere and rose to grasp the Speaker's gavel as he now occupies the seat second from the presidency.
Vance is a social clunker. Rubio is a mouse. Johnson is neither. He is unpopular with us, but I suspect he quite acceptable to a majority of Republicans, especially the christofascist base.
Not good either way.
Frau K, you're not usually given to such understatement. 🙂
Former pardon attorney, Liz Oyer, is a perfect example of what you write.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/16/liz-oyer-doj-todd-blanche-testimony
So is Rebecca Slaughter.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/14/federal-officials-fired-by-trump-supreme-court-ruling
The Trump administration continues to leak like a sieve and that's probably because of the low morale of career officials. It's no wonder the DoJ is pursuing journalists who write the stories that are leaked to them.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/11/justice-department-subpoenas-new-york-times-air-force-one
This is an administration that is just flailing at every perceived enemy with diminishing results as it continues to ignore the real problems facing your country. The recent stories about Hegseth wanting the US military to get testosterone boosters and his defence of dangerous low-altitude flyovers - this during a continuing and futile war with Iran that threatens the global economy - shows just how ridiculous it has become.
The testosterone thing is really weird! At first I thought it was an AI joke making fun of Hegseth and his whole masculinity thing. So now I’m wondering what he’s going to do about the women in the military. Are they going to be given testosterone too??
America’s cities are choking on smoke, but Trump is more interested in putting his face on a coin, and firing the new Attorney General before his bum even hits the seat. Treating the machinery of government like a reality TV show while the planet literally burns. Why am I reminded of Chairman Mao’s disastrous Great Leap Forward, where ideological vanity replaced practical governance? Millions pulled off farms to feed backyard furnaces in a bid to prove China could outproduce the industrial world. The result was not national greatness. It was one of the worst famines in human history. When leaders become more interested in monuments to themselves than the unglamorous work of governing, their enablers would do well to revisit the history books. Reality always sends the bill.
philosophy versus reality...reality always wins
"Loyalty" or mafia solidarity?
Accepting "Trump won the 2020 election" has become a ritual religious doctrine. Believers must accept this in public or suffer instant excommunication.
It is a lot like believing the bread and wine really become the body and blood of Christ, isn't it?
Religious doctrine has its own belief-based system in which societies give license to suspend reason. If we do history, science, governance or everyday life with a similar suspension of reason, we'll have an insane society. The reality now is that our government founded on the law that we will have no government by religion has been violated. We have a faith-based government and it is insane, It seeks to make our society insane by driving out rational thinking and demand for evidence. If it succeeds, the rest of humanity will have to destroy it or be destroyed by it as a matter of self-defense.
And we will find that the christofascists have created a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Dale, this comparison sullies the belief of some of the bread and the wine. The believers don’t deserve this.
Anne Marie, it is not my intention to offend anyone, but sometimes reality is offensive, especially to people who choose to delude themselves into believing something for which there is absolutely no evidence.
For people who make that choice, my comment will have no effect.
Thank you for your reply, Dale. I’m not sure I can agree with you. For whatever reason, the comment saddened me. Maybe because to me, it is a large leap from this belief to the “wanna be”Christian Nationalists ‘s beliefs.
''The Republic’s New Intelligence Test: Pretend Not to Know Anything''
Apparently, the new qualification for running American intelligence is the ability to stare directly at a fact and behave as though it just escaped into the woods.
Senator Jon Ossoff asked Trump’s nominee a brutal trick question: “Who won the 2020 election?” Not nuclear launch codes. Not the population of Liechtenstein. Not even “Explain cryptocurrency.” Just the name of the person who won an election six years ago.
The nominee responded with the verbal equivalent of hiding under a conference table. He would not “do this,” would not “engage in theater,” and finally sat in silence. Nothing says “ready to oversee national intelligence” like being defeated by a question answered on every calendar printed in 2021.
Of course, this was not confusion. It was obedience. In the Trump loyalty economy, truth is a luxury import, and everyone is expected to buy domestic delusion.
Meanwhile, the administration is preparing a commemorative Trump coin, because apparently the presidency does not provide enough opportunities for personal branding. A White House helipad is being built without the usual reviews, and the Reflecting Pool reportedly began peeling apart after repairs. Naturally, someone else had to be blamed. When reality produces an invoice, this administration simply stamps it “vandalism” and hands it to a random cyclist.
Beyond the palace renovations, the country is dealing with war, wildfire smoke, deadly floods, unaffordable groceries, and a nationwide outbreak of gastrointestinal illness. It is an impressive governing philosophy: deny the problem, blame a stranger, and schedule a televised grievance session.
Trump then gives a lie-laden prime-time speech about restricting elections. Naturally. When approval ratings are falling, prices are rising, and the country is choking on smoke, the obvious priority is relitigating the election you lost.
America is not being governed. It is being forced to attend one man’s six-year sore-loser seminar, and apparently attendance was mandatory.
Sgt. Schulz from Hogan's Heroes...."I know nussing..."
America is not being governed. ✅
Excellent.
it used to be that when a public figure was caught out on a lie, he (usually a he) would stop telling it, whether or not admitting it was a lie. In the Trump era, he just doubles down and keeps telling it - for years on end.
Character is the most important qualification for public office. Speechwriters can make someone articulate, and employees and appointees can provide intelligence. But a bad character is not redeemable.
The Todd Blanche story as in each episode of Wagon Train which Star Trek was based on and actually part of the storytelling cycles of indegenious cultures. According to The Puglist he attended a New Mexico boarding school. Many boarding schools have issues both with in the elite systems and the charity care systems throughout history . It all depends on random luck with who is there at the time along with educational philosophy . Charles Dickens showed this in David Copperfield and was incensed at the American zeitgeist and penal system he saw on his visit. Someone should do a wagon Train episode for all of this administration. One by one.
The problem is that if a political appointee does not pass the Trump loyalty test, they are out. (You can read online how the administration asks about Jan 6, who they voted for, the 2020 election, if they donated to the Democratic Party, etc.) There are good people that would like to serve the country that are stuck in trying to navigate the “loyalty test” and then a senate confirmation hearing where if they answer questions truthfully like “who won the 2020 election”, the regime will pull their name. In some cases, forcing someone to answer under oath is shooting ourselves in the foot - their name gets pulled & some true sycophant gets put in. We are getting less & less qualified people. How to navigate this?
Maybe Senators should meet privately with these people first.
They do.
Truth WAS, Kelli, but now.........
Jay Clayton knows the truth. For him, that is the central problem. He also knows the pleasures of power. He's tasted it and like the hyena who hunts the disabled and weak, he wants more of it. That's when the lions need to step in. Hyenas, by their nature, are cowardly. They will hunt in packs to feed their own stomachs as opposed to a pride of lioness' who will hunt in a pack to feed the family. The Trump kkklan, is all about hyena attributes; every single one of them are in the pack. The one difference is that hyenas in nature are necessary to keep the ecosystem healthy; the hyenas within the republican party are all about destroying the ecosystem in which we live, and on which we all depend.
Your point is right on the mark, Kelli. Absent trust, operating a representative government in a large, diverse, complex, dynamic Nation is fundamentally impossible. Remaining a stabilizing force at the global scale? Out of the question. We have now squandered our hard won accumulation of that precious metal that enables civilization. It Is true we have damaged our own reservoir through serious lapses. We have never sought to destroy it completely--until now. Our unprecedented challenge is to begin the long and daunting rebuild. Now. Our first step Is to elect some adults in 2026 who actually believe in Our Great American Experiment. Absent the first step, a long and arduous journey remains a fiction.
Now let's take a look at how the left has treated "truth" over the last few decades. Important French philosophers were mistranslated, which led to an "anything goes" attitude where everything is supposed to be a matter of "individual perspective". How can we still have real, democratic debates among citizens (a crucial pillar of any democracy) if every sentence needs to start with "for me... "?
This is how the left itself has undermined democracy (and I'm saying his as a progressive).
What is lacking today is an autopsy of what the left itself got wrong, rather than imagining that a Democratic party can save democracy on its own, as so many people seem to do today. And we got a LOT wrong.
So yes, objective truths are essential if we want to keep a democracy. But then WE need to be willing to fact-check our own opinions again, rather than going with whatever "feels true to me".
The measure of a democracy is whether *the people* are open to the truth, whether they are informed of the truth, that they even seek and demand the truth, and then demand representatives who represent and fight for that.And when they do not, they are ousted one way or another by the people. Trump and his *soldiers* are working on all fronts. The opposite of democracy comes when there is not enough caring about its demise. We are at that point. It could not be more plain. .. on TV to the nation.
Kelli, that is a profound truth you wrote here. I do wish more of our "public servants" understood that service to the people requires truth, even when it is hard because the one demanding the lie is president.
I find the polling numbers you mention… a 37% approval rating… tragically high. One-third of Americans are that self-destructive? So confused they align themselves with a psychopath with total contempt for them and everyone else?
I grieve for our country.
It's pretty terrifying, isn't it and it's why I believe that appeals to 'We the People' are unlikely to be successful. 77 million Americans voted for this clown and another 90 million didn't bother to vote at all. This suggests far deeper problems with your politics than Donald Trump.
The Moronic Majority has at last -- just as Mencken predicted -- obtained its Moron Nation.
"Moronic Majority". -- how clever! Can I put that on a bumper sticker, or, I guess, that's where you found it?
Yes. Much deeper. Trump is a symptom of the underlying disease… not its cause. We have a mental health crisis throughout America (and the world, to be honest). I wrote about this crisis recently. Please check out my Substack
That’s exactly why our number one priority is voter registration. Check mobilize.us for opportunities to get involved.
It was 37% of republicans polled.
"38% of Americans watch Fox News." [AI]
I agree -- that number always shocks me -- it's more than a third of the country -- how can that be?
The one I know in this group does not watch Fox News, but is purposefully uninformed.
How sad!
The statistic is 37% of Republicans (less than half the population), not of Americans. Even so, I agree with you that it is tragically high.
Sarah, I keep repeating the following statistics because it seems that many people don't make the connection. According to Pew Research, 34% of Americans identify as evangelical. 19% identify as Catholic, but Pew doesn't differentiate between "mainline" Catholics and conservative, "Opus Dei" Catholics. It's reasonable to estimate them at 3%, and for convenience, I lump them in with Protestant evangelicals, because their theology is virtually the same. That makes your 37% approval rating.
Why does this matter? Because these conservative religious types view life on Earth as a nuisance that must be endured on their way to heaven. The point of life is to follow the religious rules so they are worthy of entering into heaven.
Heaven is the ultimate goal for evangelicals who die, but what of those who are stuck here on Earth? They look for the "Second Coming of Jesus," who will return to Earth and rule for "a thousand years' reign of peace," dubbed "The Millennium." After that, Jesus will gather up all his followers, both the dead and the living, and take them to heaven, dubbed "The Rapture." The unbelievers will be left behind on Earth, which will become like hell until it is finally destroyed. Evangelicals believe we are living in "The Last Days."
Note: Jesus can't return until after the Battle of Armageddon has been fought in the Middle East and Satan has been bound forever.
Given this so-called "prophecy," evangelicals are quite enthusiastic to get a war in the Middle East started so they can hurry up and get to The Millennium part. It should also be noted that when you believe Earth is on the verge of destruction, there's no motivation to take care of it in the meantime.
It's not an accident that Mike Huckabee is the ambassador to Israel.
Couldn't agree more. He wants a front-row seat.
Sarah, they do not see the same information we do. Their "information" silos feed them propaganda non-stop. Their critical thinking skills left the building when dogma replaced information.
37% of REPUBLICANS. But that is 37% too many.
That 37% number that never seems to drop despite to continuous and blatant depravity of this administration is disturbing but also can be misleading. Assuming my logic and arithmetic is correct, it’s not one third of all Americans! According to Google, there are approximately 236 million people of voting age (not necessarily registered to vote) currently in the US and of those there are approximately 39.2 million registered republicans and of those registered republicans, 37% (~14.5 million) approve. This reveals that approximately 6.1% (of voting age people) approve of the orange turd!
… a 37% approval rating… tragically high... These voters are absolutely willing to destroy their own livelihoods because "owning the libs" and expressing unbridled overt hatred against those who are different than them just feels too good. For that 37%, Trump is like heroin; they are addicted and they cannot ever free themselves of that addiction.
It’s because they refuse any other input into their brains except Fox News. They are like the cowardly Lion repeating over and over “I do believe”, “I do believe”!!
That’s still a lot of morons.
It was 37% of republicans polled, not of general public as a whole (thank goodness). The 15% was of general public approval. The scariest was the high number of "independents" who approve of him.
It was 37% of republicans.
Unfortunately, the WaPo article seems to say these numbers are for the voting / polling public, not just Republicans. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/07/16/trump-approval-stuck-30s-post-ipsos-poll-shows/
My feelings exactly, but I bet that 1/3 are low information and/or captives of Fox “News” and other right wing media. As long as we allow the oligarchs to own our media, our politicians, and our judiciary the government will continue to serve their interests rather than the common good. We need political, judicial, educational, regulatory, and societal reforms to get out of our current sorry state of neoliberalism trending toward White Christian nationalist dictatorship.
"I grieve for our country." Fear not, the US will outlive every commenter here. Why not try a more pleasant place, like Mexico, or Estonia, or Latvia, or Belarus.
Isn't it embarrassing to have to carry Trump's piss bucket with you everywhere you go, every time Dear Leader needs a little tinkle? How humiliating, indeed. Thank you, Senator Ossoff, for pointing out the obvious.
This summer's going to be long, hot, demented and ugly. Tonight, amid plummeting popularity and mounting desperation, poor widdle Pwesident Butthurt picked up the world’s tiniest violin and proceeded to play his sad widdle concerto in the key of whine flat…
But the point of that 25 minute-long exercise in political pornography wasn’t to repeat the usual lies, familiar inanities and demented ramblings of a desperate idiot about 2020. It was to frighten you right now, to get you not to vote this November, especially if you live in Georgia or another purple area, to make it not worth your time and effort. And like all squirrel squirrel squirrel, look-at-the-squirrel shell games, it was also meant to divert you from thinking about how much an unplanned, totally unthought-through, obsessive-compulsive war against Iran has turned to shit for him.
In 2021, as everybody knows, he had lowlifes and goons attack police officers and smear feces all over the walls of Congress. Several officers died. Hundreds were wounded. But the lowlife coup didn't work. This time, a uniformed, "official" coup is being planned. There will be staged attempts -- however comical, however serious -- to seize voting machines as soon as the terrible numbers start coming in on Election Day affirming the upcoming disaster for the Republican Party.
Yet we, not they, have the winning cards. Poll watchers, poll workers and attorneys will be scattered all over the country to make sure laws are upheld. Immediate lawsuits will be filed should state laws be violated. Several states have already passed laws to the effect of 'if you screw with our voting processes or machines, we will arrest you, even should you wear the uniform of the National Guard, or Homeland Security.’
Other states need to get with the program. Stand in their way. Block the door. A Blue Tsunami is mounting. Your sane response to his terror remains critically important. Donate, organize, volunteer to be a poll watcher or a poll worker. Be a witness, not a bystander. Remember that “too big to rig” remains the best, and really the only insurance against all of this. Eyes on the prize, not the nuttiness. Work for victory. We need all the help we can get.
Any lie detectors in an earshot of Trump's fantasy address bust into flames (or should have).
"poor widdle Pwesident Butthurt picked up the world’s tiniest violin and proceeded to play his sad widdle concerto in the key of whine flat…" --- thank you for the hearty laugh, ICTT.
I’m still amazed that Heather’s Substack isn’t blocked. How can she keep posting freely all those nasty things she says about Dear Leader??
And: I’m still convinced that trumpty-dumpty is going to destroy the world. Literally. And the Republicans will let him do it.
She doesn’t say nasty things. She just posts about what is actually happening in very skillful way that highlights the madness. Or she writes about history to highlight that history is repeating itself as a warning, or as a roadmap to thwarting tyranny. Of course highlighting history or telling the truth about this regime can be dangerous now but she is imo skillfully walking a fine and clear line.
I too, everyday, am stunned HCR is still not blocked. I also wonder if HCR has a security team. I tend to doubt it. She is very smart though so I don't worry.
the republican/libertarian coalition
Finally the whole truth and nothing but the truth… thank you for notating it!
I have taken the training , my attempt to help , and in that process realized the dedication to honesty and all that’s right is the oath they take , its honor those poll workers give , their time ,energy , and truth to uphold not only The law and procedure , but simple honest carry-through. It’s a 15+ hour day.
To support it was “rigged” and continue the lustfilled lie was his first confession of demented intent.
The saddest fact of all were the multitudes willing to give up not only their own integrity for such insane vanity, pure selfish obsession, for the lives of generations- some even ancestors -who gave their all defending The American Dream.
And the world wept.
And more innocents will die
Hold precious the blessings so taken for granted .
I also signed up for poll worker, I should check in with the office bc I have not been notified about training yet. Thx for reminder Patricia.
I love that characterization: Piss boys - and girlz. All toting around the 'chamber pot' for 'it.' That should go viral ICTT; Contact Borowitz to come up with a fitting meme !
"This summer's going to be long, hot, demented and ugly. Tonight, amid plummeting popularity and mounting desperation, poor widdle Pwesident Butthurt picked up the world’s tiniest violin and proceeded to play his sad widdle concerto in the key of whine flat…"
YOU WIN THE INTERNET TODAY.
"key of whine flat" tickles my musician's ears.
Today, the country is spinning out of control and it's because truth is no longer even slightly important to those who would have us disconnect from reality altogether. We have to hang onto reality by our fingernails and push back hard to insist there are elections and certified results in November. It may be hard or scary but unless we do, I fear it may be game over. To myself and to everyone, I say do something every day.
The more democrats in power in every state, the better. There are elections constantly. Write at least 5 postcards a day with TonyTheDemocrat. Everybody can print or knows someone who can! Sign up with your local Indivisible chapter or start one. Or sign up as a poll watcher. There is a job for everyone.
Yes, I do that! I just hope everyone is committed.I'm active locally and statewide.
Sadly, it's ALWAYS been the TRUTH that People believe what they WANT to believe...no matter what Reality lays at their feet.
I LOVE what Senator Ossoff said was going to happen with trump’s address to the nation 😅 Send encouragement so he keeps it up, others to be just as vocal, and to Republicans to grow a spine!
Resource below to easily contact all of Congress. Be LOUD! 💔🤍💙
Use/share this spreadsheet (bit.ly/Goodtrouble) to contact members of Congress, the Cabinet and news organizations. Call. Write. Email. Protest. Unrelentingly!
Reach out (beyond your own) to as many in the Senate and House as you can. All of this is bigger than “I only represent my constituents” issues.
Comments/reactions help keep this bumped ✊
LET’S GET LOUD‼️
(thanks JLo)
Thank You, Megan.
Thank you, Megan.
Thank you Megan!
Thank you! Will do!
Thanks, Megan!
Cheeto’s Paranoid Speech: Jan 6 Is Coming Early In November
There is moral reckoning that is facing the American electorate. Will WE the People choose the morally right thing to do and keep our democratic republic? Cheeto is setting the stage to allege voter fraud in the upcoming midterms in order to seize ballot boxes by the miliary on election day. That will be the day when our democracy will die.
In a demented screed a depraved lawless immoral Cheeto has decided to cherry pick heavily redacted national intelligence material on the WH website to fit the Nazi Republican narrative. He hopes to create conspiracy theories about election interference by foreign actors which is just part of the agenda to discredit free and fair elections using blatant factual inconsistencies. In the end Cheeto ended with a demand to pass the SAVE Act in order to disenfranchise voters.
Make no mistake, the Congressional Nazi Republicans and the RNC are clearly in collusion with Cheeto to pursue propaganda to their end. They have for decades been working to rig elections to include Russian interference(bit.ly/4vL02hi). They have something to gain by going along with their demented mad dictator. If they can even partially spare themselves from a Democratic landslide to a more moderate loss, it will be a win. This is Cheeto’s way to mitigate the polling damage that his Project 2025 agenda has reeked on the American government and WE the People. They have nothing to lose and something to gain.
Voter action is mandatory. No Nazi Republican should be voted into office in November 2026. Vote EARLY and use ballot boxes.
And keep up to date with any new safeguards. This is IT.
(wreaked?)
History is not shaped only by the decisions leaders make, but also by the questions they refuse to answer. Silence can reveal as much about power as words ever could.
Especially when silence is enforced.
I’m so tired. 🤦♀️
You and me, and about 100 million others, sister. But we just have to 'keep calm and carry on.' Hang in there.
Take some time away to recharge. Nature is good, libraries and museums are good.
In music, we call it "stagger breathing" when a long, sustained note or passage is required. The section chooses who breathes when so that the note is sustained AND all are able to sing/play. My favorite experience of this was when our two tuba section played de Maij's "Hobbits Symphony No. 1"; movement 5 ends with 30+ measures of a sustained C two octaves below middle C. In that section, we split breathing; he was "even" and I was "odd" (reference to measure numbers). Neither of us could play the full 32 measures without breathing, but working together there was a sustained note throughout.
Nature √ Libraries √ Museums √ Tubas in the back row √ 🎶 √
🥰
AND Jon Ossoff was TOTALLY CORRECT!
Since there is NO WAY trump gets his "Get Outta Jail Free" SAVE Act passed,
trump's ONLY MOVE LEFT...
WILL be to SEIZE the Ballot boxes in Georgia after the VOTES are in.
trump has ALREADY said that he should have seized the ballot boxes after the 2020 election!
DESPERATION...thy name IS trump!
WE ARE NOT INTIMIDATED!!
WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER!
WE WILL NEVER STOP FIGHTING BACK!!
BUT FIRST...
WE OVERWHELMINGLY VOTE 'EM ALL OUT!!!!
WE CAN DO THIS!!!
Jon Ossoff was like a gimlet. Inflexible.
Watch a brilliant Jon Ossoff defend the 2022 John Lewis Voting bill. And a tetchy Susan Collins try to defend her vote against it. This presages Ossoff's work today. .https://youtu.be/g_tFhYdu-SU?si=1XvBPnj5KC68JPOP.
In light of subsequent Roberts Court predations and the perversions in the SAVE act, Ossoff was prescient in his early support of the need for Congress to protect civil rights and voters' rights.
In a sense, it is Ossoff who has carried the mantle of Margaret Chase Smith for decency and honesty. A mantle which Susan Collins has only dragged through the mud toadying to Trump and MAGA. And like Chase Smith, Ossoff spoke out courageously as a very new member of Congress criticizing a very senior member.
“I speak for the state of Georgia when I say do not invoke Congressman Lewis’s name to signal your virtue while you work to erode his legacy and defy his will,” said the Georgia Democrat.
Collins joined the Republican caucus in voting against a measure that would have brought the voting rights bill to the floor.
In particular, Ossoff was voicing support for the section of the John Lewis bill that would restore federal preclearance, or the requirement that the U.S. Department of Justice approve any changes to voting law by states that have a history or pattern of voter suppression — a provision of the 1965 Voting Rights Act that was stripped by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2013.
Ossoff singled out Collins by name for vocally supporting pre-clearance in 2006, but now refusing to allow debate on the bill amid a new wave of voter suppression efforts.
“What I was respectfully noting, Senator Collins, without any implications with respect to your motives or integrity, was what I believe to be an inconsistency, an inconsistency between voting repeatedly to reauthorize the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and lauding it as a signature Civil Rights achievement but then voting to not even allow debate in this body on the legislation that was created to respond to the Supreme Court’s invitation to uphold its pre-clearance provision,” Ossoff responded." .https://mainebeacon.com/collins-ossoff-clash-over-john-lewis-legacy/.
Amusing no after Trump insisting there was no Russian election interference despite hard evidence he has now "discovered" this massive, dastardly, Chinese plot?
Like the "sabotage" of his pool job; massive orbiting tractor beams is space? Antifan Army with toilet plungers?
WE ALL KNOW the reflecting pool damage was caused by trump driving those Giant Trucks OVER IT ..before the lining set.
EVERYTHING…I mean
EVERYTHING trump TOUCHES DIES!!
trump IS the WORLD'S BIGGEST SORE LOSER!!
He should get a golden statue reward for that alone!
Moral antimatter.
Or a box of candied turds sprinkled w gold dust.
Another ploy!
I sure hope the local and state law enforcement authorities in Georgia and elsewhere are preparing to uphold their own laws should the Federal government attempt an illegal seizure of ballots.
If you watched any of his BULLSHIT this evening… Give you …
The Pettyboy Address
Dedicated to the proposition that every election is fair…
…unless I lose….
Then every microphone becomes a time machine back to 2020…
Where’s Giuliani and that bad hair dye job..
A lying infomercial for the SAVE Act to disenfranchise the American people votes…
Buckle up folks it’s going to be a bumpy ride… 109 days till midterms..
And when they "flood the zone with sh*t" ala Steve Bannon, smile first and then focus on where sh*t" comes from. Avoid it at all costs...vote blue!
Morning, Lynell! Your assessment is spot on!
More lies packed into that one than even past Trump regurgitations.
Ossoff has a way with words., and he writes his own stuff.
He also needs money to win his election because he depends on our small donations, not billionaires. So please help him out. We all really need him to win. Republican PACs are pouring many millions into the campaign to defeat him-so please help out if you possibly can.
Jon Ossoff — Donate via ActBlue https://share.google/4Q7OrTakLV4E9368E
Is there a way to donate w/o Act Blue?
The old fashioned way - check?
Go to his campaign website. There should be an address for mailing a check or maybe even paying online from your checking account.
Still need an address to send it to.
Check his website. There should be a street address or P.O. Box. Plenty of folks in rural GA don't have credit cards and don't want to pay online. Not all of them are Republicans.
There must be. Go to his campaign website and ask. There will be a number or chat where you can get that answer. good question, BTW.
" On 1 July 2025, the CDC downgraded FoodNet, the active surveillance network it has run with the FDA, the USDA and 10 state health departments since 1995, making tracking of Cyclospora optional at its sites, along with listeria, campylobacter, shigella, vibrio and yersinia. Of the eight pathogens it was built to watch, six were downgraded to optional. Salmonella and E coli remained mandatory. The change arrived with budget cuts and no public announcement, and was reported almost two months later, when a journalist asked."
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jul/16/diarrhea-outbreak-cyclospora-parasite-cdc
If a foreign dictator wanted to disable the United States of America...
Russia, Russia, Russia.
He ultimately projected the plan. We can do the same:
Your Vote
Will Count
Do It !
Simple signs, Visibility Bridges, Billboards etc…
Those not following the truth need our help!
The rallying cry that 200 million Americans need to unify on is this:
"We will no longer stand for Trump and the Project 2025 billionaires behind him #SquanderingAmericasGreatness. We are the actual patriots, the folks on the left and right that demand adherence to the Constitution and serving our government with integrity, honor, and steadfast dedication"
My hope is that former MAGA folks rebrand as #ConstitutionalConservatives, because the fracturing of those principles is done daily by Trump and the #SimpletonSycophants throughout his government.
Today's GOP is trapped, forced to back the #SeditiousConspiracy where their role is to sit on their hands and allow corruption, waste, and the destruction of democracy itself.
Voting was never just posting a personal opinion, it is each of our personal contributions to shaping our society's future, for all of us together. A vote is a terrible, terrible thing to waste, and right now every single vote is needed. Every single vote is needed.
The electoral vote count was 306 to 232, or 56.87732342007% to 43.12267657993%, or, to simplify, 57% to 43%
Will Republicans in power sit back and let Trump drive a stake through democracy’s heart? Look away as Trump sends ICE’s armed goods to intimidate voters in large Democrat-run cities? I fear the answer is yes.